Helpful Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors - Branchlands Senior Living

September is National Fall Prevention Month, making it the perfect opportunity to learn more about how to prevent falls as seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in four people 65 and older will fall each year. Among older adults, 41,000 pass away from falling yearly, while 3 million are treated for a fall-related injury. That’s why we take learning how to prevent falls so seriously. The team at Powerback Rehabilitation provides on-site rehab services at Linden House Assisted Living. They regularly speak on the topic of preventing falls to Branchlands residents, sharing valuable general insights. As always, please consult your health professional for any personal medical advice.

Six Steps Seniors Can Take to Prevent Falls

Talk to your healthcare provider. Having your provider review your medications is always prudent, especially if you are feeling dizzy. Bloodwork can reveal whether there may be any other contributing factors.
Participate in strength and balance exercises. At Branchlands, we offer exercise classes regularly throughout the week to help our residents build strength and improve balance. There are also exercises you can do in your own residence or at a local gym. The Center at Belvedere has a wide variety of activities, from tai chi to tap dancing, geared toward seniors.
Get an eye exam. Have your eyesight examined by a professional every year. Changes occur in your eyesight as you age, which can affect your depth perception and balance.
Create a safer living space. Find helpful tips below.
Use a cane or walker if recommended by your physician. You may feel self-conscious at first, but using a walker or cane for assistance can keep you stable.
Ask for help when you need it. Don’t be ashamed to talk to someone if you are afraid of falling.

Many seniors avoid activities because they are afraid of falling, but most fall risks can be mitigated. Discuss the risks and ask those professionals around you for advice. Removing hazards from your living environment and wearing proper shoes are two simple places to start.

Making your Residence Safer

You shouldn’t have to worry about your safety in your own home. Here are a few tips to help prevent a fall that will be useful, whether you are living at Branchlands or anywhere else:

Remove tripping hazards (like papers, books, clothes, and shoes) that impede your walking spaces.
Remove small throw rugs or use a rug pad and double-sided tape to keep them from slipping.
Keep items you use often in cabinets that are easily accessible without a step stool.
Install grab bars inside the shower or bathtub, and next to the toilet.

All of the assisted living spaces at Linden House come with grab bars in the bathroom, one by the toilet, and one in the shower. “Depending on resident needs, therapy will recommend different placements sometimes and maintenance will install them on a case-by-case basis,” says the director of rehab.

Place nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
Improve the lighting in your home. Invest in lamps and higher wattage light bulbs.
Install handrails and lights on all staircases.
Clean up spills or wet floors immediately.
Choose furniture that’s easy to get in and out of.
Wear well-fitting shoes with good support inside and outside the home.

Here at Branchlands, our common spaces have been intentionally and thoughtfully designed to promote safety and encourage social engagement.

What to Do if You Fall

Falling is nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens to all of us and can be painful and cause issues that may not be noticeable right away. If you fall in your own home, try to remain calm and breathe. Activate your emergency response system if you have one. Assess yourself for injury; if something badly hurts, it’s best to not get up on your own and wait for assistance instead. Of course, this is not always possible. If you need to get up on your own, be sure to take your time getting up and use proper technique. Most importantly, report the fall to a family member or a trusted friend as soon as possible.

If you are a Branchlands resident and you fall, do not get up by yourself. Call for assistance immediately, where staff are ready to help. At Linden House Assisted Living, each resident wears a call bell they can ring for help, as well as an emergency call cord in their bathroom. Someone is always nearby to offer assistance.

“When people fall, they should immediately alert a wellness team member such as any CNA, med tech, or wellness director,” says the director of rehab. “We do not teach people to get themselves up because of the risk of falling again or further injuring themselves. We prefer to get a call to the room and perform a mobility assessment and check vitals before moving anyone.”

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) uses the first week of fall each year to empower seniors with knowledge about preventing falls. On their website, you can fill out their Falls Free Check Up to see what your risk of falling is. If you want an in-person exam, your local medical clinic should offer an evaluation the CDC calls STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries).

A physical therapist shows a resident how to raise a weighted bar above his head in Branchlands' rehab room.

We create a safe environment for our residents at Branchlands Senior Living. You and your loved ones can rest assured that we will be here in case of falls or any other emergency. Our staff is on hand 24 hours a day, every day. One of the best ways to prevent a fall from ever happening, though, is to be part of an active community like Linden House Assisted Living, where we offer on-site physical therapy services for all our residents.