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: