1. It is a very sad but true fact that one in every three seniors will have a fall each year. What is even more disconcerting is that less than half will mention this fact to their GP or family.

In truth the number one cause of injury for older people which result in cuts, bruises, hip fractures and serious head injuries are falls around the house.

Even if a person does not injure themselves, it is likely that the fall will give them a fright and they may be reluctant to do certain activities because they are afraid to fall again.

So, how can we make the house safe from falls?

Some obvious issues – and which can easily be rectified are:

• Electrical cords
• Slippery floors
• Loose stair rails

These are also the most common reason for falls around the house.

Other reasons for falls can be:

• Improper clothing. Clothes which are too long and drag on the floor can cause a person to become tangled and trip up.
• Insufficient lighting. Older people with poor eyesight may simply not see an object in front of them and trip over it. It is easy to bump into small tables and overbalance if things are dimly lit.
• Loose carpet and rugs. Older rugs and carpets can often have turned up corners which pose a hazard to anyone who shuffles when they walk.
• Obstacles in the way. Often older people will accumulate things like newspapers and magazines which can be in the walking path, causing them to bump and trip on them.

What to do

Apart from impressing on your client the need to make the home safer, you should also consider installing grab bars and handrails. These are particularly useful in the bathroom and for getting on and off the toilet.

As your clients ages they may have difficulty getting in and out of the bath or even the shower and a grab rail will help to steady them.

Watch that clothing does not drag on the floor. This goes for both you and your client. While you may easily wear flowing skirts at your own home, they may not be suitable with your client, who can become caught up in excess fabric and fall over.

Consider night lights along the way to the bathroom and toilet so that if your client needs to get up in the night they will be able to see the way.

Opt for shoes. Many older people may find it more comfortable to wear socks around the house, rather than shoes. Socks will always pose a tripping hazard. If they refuse to wear shoes then at least consider slippers with decent tread on them.

If possible avoid stairs. Older people often battle to get up stairs without a stairlift. If possible and if your client agrees, move them to the lower floor of the house so that they do not need to go up and down the stairs.

Final thoughts

When you arrive at your placement, the first thing you should do is your own risk assessment of the house and the things that make falls a likelihood. Once you are aware of where the dangers are you can set about to discuss with your client and family about rectifying them – sooner rather than later.

Tags:

1

Go Back to Previous Page

Live in care jobs