Preventing Falls

Protecting ourselves and our loved ones from falling.

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Welcome and Introduction

Presented by:

Ted van Nostrand

• Executive Certificate in Home Modifications

• School of Gerontology, USC

• tvannost@gmail.com

• AdaptingHome.com

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Presentation Goals

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Recognize that most falls result from a combination of factors

• Identify strategies and resources and modifications that you can use to reduce your risk of falls.

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Risk Factors

The risk factors that can lead to falls amongst older adults include:

• Physical – our bodies change as we age

• Behavioral – things that we choose to do

• Environmental – hazards existing in our homes. We will focus on this aspect.

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Risk Factors

In this situation:

• What are some of the environmental factors?

• What are some of the behavioral factors?

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Physical Risk Factors

These factors would be assessed by your physician and would include:

• Medication

• Vision

• Balance

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Strategies to Reduce Physical Risk

In consultation with health care community and occupational therapy:

• Manage chronic illness or conditions

• Have your eyes checked regularly

• Stay active and exercise regularly

• Stay hydrated

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Behavioral Risk Factors

This requires personal reflection and a recognition that we all get older and our bodies change – hard to do!

Some behaviors we choose include:

• Carrying heavy loads on stairs

• Reaching precariously

• Moving around in the darkAdapting Home

Strategies to Reduce Behavioral Risk

We need to find alternative behaviors that reduce the risk such as carrying smaller loads.

However, we will find that strategies here will be closely linked with how we can change our environment.

We’ll focus on this in the next section.

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Environmental Risk Factors

Many older adults have lived in the same home for many years. However, our capabilities change.

So, it’s likely our homes need to be modified to meet our needs.

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Basic Strategies for Environmental Risk

• Keep your floors clutter free.

• Remove small rugs or tape down or secure them.

• Add grab bars in the bathroom.

• Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.

• Make sure your home has lots of light.

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No-cost and Low-cost Strategies

Please refer to the brochure

AARP HomeFit No-Cost Low-Cost Ideas

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Full Home Self-Assessment Strategies

Links can be found on the Resources tab of the

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Check out the

CHMC – Self-Assessment Guide

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Comprehensive Safety Guides

Links can be found on the Resources tab of the

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Check out The Safe Living Guide

from the Public Health Agency of Canada

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