Falls Prevention
By Flora Tabaddor, MD
Corporate Clinical Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
To fall-proof your home, some factors to consider include:
Be sure you have adequate lighting, such as nightlights;
Firmly secure or remove rugs that are loose;
Clear all foot traffic areas and pay special attention to things you can trip over including electrical cords, toys, pets and furnishings;
Place needed objects within reach.
Other ways to prevent falls inside and outside the home include:
Wear non-skid footwear;
Avoid excessively long or loose clothing;
If using adaptive equipment, check with your therapist or nurse to ensure that it is properly adjusted and working correctly;
Use non-skid bath mat in tub or shower;
Discuss bathroom safety with a nurse or therapist;
Rise slowly when getting out of bed or a chair;
Avoid walking on wet or slippery surfaces;
Hold onto banister when using the stairs;
Have emergency numbers posted on or near each telephone;
Avoid leaning or supporting yourself on unstable objects.
Taking measures to prevent falls should be taken seriously. For more information, call us at 718-298-7800.
Resources
For more information about falls in older adults, listed below are resources available to you:
New York State Department of Health
Bureau of Injury Prevention
518-473-1143
injury@health.state.ny.us