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Most falls in people aged 65 and above. It happens in the home during everyday activities. Falls is the leading cause of injury-related deaths among the very elderly. Falls is also the leading cause of injury and hospital admission for older adults. They are also the second leading cause of spinal cord and brain injury among older adults, and advanced age greatly increases the chance of a hospital admission following a fall. The other common injuries that elderly persons suffer are fractures of the pelvis, hip, femur (thigh bone), vertebrae (back bone), humerus (upper arm bone), wrist, forearm, leg and ankle. Most of these falls happen at home – studies estimate as much as 60 % of falls taking place in the home. Another 30% occur in public places, and 10% occur in health care institutions.
Making it worse
Generally, an older person’s bones are less capable of withstanding the stress of a fall. It is important to be prepared to handle elderly injuries, but more importantly, to prevent them. An injury can make an elderly person much more susceptible to subsequent injuries if his or her legs and arms are weakened. Thus, extra care needs to be taken especially after one has suffered injuries previously. Excercise and everyday routines, home set-ups and caregivers’ actions need to be reviewed to ensure that elderly patients are protected from future falls. Factors that contribute to falls include problems with gait and balance, neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities, psychoactive medicine use, dementia, and visual impairment. Studies show that environmental hazards such as slippery surfaces, uneven floors, poor lighting, loose rugs, unstable furniture, and objects on floors also play a role. What the elderly can do Some of the things an elderly can do to avoid sustaining serious injuries include: 1、 Maintaining a regular exercise programme. Exercise improves strength, balance, and coordination. It develops stronger muscles and also strengthens the bones. Without exercise the bones become thin and porous. Strong muscles help to protect the joints and spinal column, improve posture and balance, and increase mobility. Thus, regular exercise helps to reduce the likelihood of falls.
2、Having an eye doctor check their vision each year. Poor vision can increase the risk of falling.
3、Avoiding or limiting their intake of alcohol.
4、Reminding them to use caution when getting up from table or bed.
5、Encouraging them to use a cane or walker to maintain their balance.
6、Getting them to wear supportive, rubber-soled shoes - inside the house as well, if it helps to improve the grip and balance. How you can help the elderly Home modification and repair can help prevent accidents such as falls. It is, in fact, the best way to prevent elderly injuries from occurring. Research suggests that one-third to one-half of home accidents can be prevented by modification or repair. Loose rug edges, uneven walking surfaces and slippery floors are high risk areas. General 1、Clear the pathways of all clutter and electrical cords.
2、Firmly attach all edges of the carpets and rugs to the floor.
3、Rearrange furniture so they are not obstructing the pathways.
4、Install sturdy handrails on both sides of stairway.
5、Paint the top and bottom stair to show contrast with the other stairs.
6、Provide adequate lighting. Bathroom 1、Put non-slip strips or rubber bath mat in the tub.
2、Well-secured grab bars help with getting in and out of the tub or shower.
3、It is preferable to use a bath bench or secure stool in the tub as opposed to sitting on the bottom of the bathtub.
4、Equip your bathroom with a chair, or if not able to do so, use the toilet as a secure place to sit when drying off and dressing to prevent falls when performing these tasks in a standing position.
5、Use a removable showerhead on an extension hose. It makes showering much easier, especially if sitting on a tub bench.
6、Floor bath mats need to be rubber backed to prevent slips.
7、Consider tying a soap on a rope that is secured to something reachable, to avoid reaching and stooping, not to mention slipping on a dropped soap.
8、A raised toilet seat with rails around the toilet or a commode around the toilet makes getting on and off it easier.
9、Store linens and towels and other daily used supplies between waist and eye level to avoid reaching and bending. Kitchen 1、Keep frequently used dishes and pots and pans between waist and eye level to avoid reaching and bending.
2、Electric can openers are easier on the hands and wrists than hand-turn can openers.
3、Use a damp cloth or one of several commercially available rubbery devices to open jars. There are devices in the market that anchor up under the cupboard that one can put the jar lid into and turn the jar.
4、Fit handles and knobs in the kitchen that are larger and easier to grip for the elderly. Living Room, Bedroom, Hallways 1、Remove all scatter rugs in the home to avoid slipping on them. If it is necessary to have them, attach some rubber material under each rug so that it will not slip.
2、Use chairs with arms so as to have something to push on when getting up.
3、Raise the bed to an appropriate height so that an elderly person can get on and off without difficulty. 2012-01-03
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