The good news is that many falls can be prevented. Fall prevention programs can start by looking around the patient’s or elderly person’s home. The most important step you can take to prevent falls is to:

1. Maintain as much strength and coordination as possible,
2. By following your doctor’s instructions on taking your medications,
3. Eating properly and exercising.

The next step is to look around your home for hazards that could lead to a fall, and correct them. Here are some suggestions for fall prevention exercises, patient fall prevention, and for creating a safer home environment:

Bathroom

-Grab bars to get into and out of the tub
-Use a bath chair or stool in the shower
-Don’t use throw rugs or wax on the bathroom floor
-Use a raised toilet seat with arm rails
-Buy soap on a rope, or put a bar of soap in a nylon stocking with one end tied to a towel bar

Bedroom

-Never get up in the dark – make sure the room is well lit
-Keep light switch close to bed – Use a Fall Prevention Light-Touch Dimmer
-Avoid slippery socks or slippers
-Consider using a Bed Transfer Handle or Bed Security Rail
-Hide all loose extension cords
-Consider using a Medical Alarm / PERS System
-Use carpets and rugs with skid-proof backing or tacked to the floor

Kitchen

-Use a long-handled sponge/mop to wipe up spills
-Keep your floors smooth but not slippery
-Store your often-used supplies in easy-to-reach cabinets
-Avoid hard-to-reach wall phones; consider a cordless phone that can be carried from room to room, or a counter model

Around the House

-To be safer, consider using a Medical Alarm
-Stairwells should be well lit; consider nightlights for hallways and bathrooms
-Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes with nonskid soles;
-Don’t walk around in socks, slippers, or stockings on bare floors
-Keep rooms and hallways free of clutter
-Make sure carpets, including those on stairs, have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor

Use common sense. If bending throws you off balance, try to avoid picking things up. If you are unsteady outdoors, use a cane to negotiate sidewalk cracks and curbs. If you fall but do not injure yourself, don’t assume that you must restrict your activities. Too little activity can cause you to lose strength and coordination, putting you at greater risk for another fall. Instead, talk to your doctor about these and other steps you can take to reduce your risk of a more serious fall.