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Falls Prevention Advice in Waltham Forest
Age Concern Waltham Forest > Help & Advice >
This page gives you a brief introduction to falls, the consequences of falls, how to reduce the risk of falls and what to do to prevent falls in the future. You will also find in this page a Home Safety Checklist that you can download and use to help you prevent falls and maintain an independent lifestyle.
Table of Contents
- Why preventing falls is important
- The consequences of a fall
- Why you may fall
- Medication (includes Medication Review and Medication Chart Reminder)
- Practice Moderation
- Poor vision
- Gait and balance
- Lung disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Disorders affecting your legs and feet
- Bladder conditions
- Bringing up your concerns
- Falls: Reducing the risks
- Hazards at home
- Top Tips -
Quick reminder - If you have had a fall -
step- by- step approach of what to do - Falls Safety Check List
- Community Equipment Service
- Where to get further information
Documents:
All the download documents in this part are Adobe Acrobat PDF files. If you do not have the free Acrobat Reader program on your computer, please click the banner below to go to the Adobe web site to download. You can to download Adobe Acrobat Reader here.
Why preventing falls is important
As people grow older they are increasingly at risk of falling and injuring themselves.
Every year between 33 and 50 per cent of people over the age of 65 suffer a fall. For every 100 of those people who fall, 20 will need medical help and just under 10 will sustain a fracture. Falls can lead to a long stay in hospital.
Falls are the most important type of accident and many occur in and around the home.
In 2002-
Falls can cause loss of confidence, self esteem and reduced independence.
Falls can often result in fractures (broken bones), most commonly in the hips and wrists. People with thin bones, as a result of osteoporosis, are likely to sustain fractures more often. Falls can often result in a 'long lie' for a person who is unable to get up from the floor. This can have potentially serious consequences such as hypothermia, bronchopneumonia and pressure sores. A 'long lie' of 12 hours or more can seriously affect a person's recovery from a fall.
Physical
- discomfort and pain
- serious injury
- inability to look after oneself
- long term disability
Why you might fall
You are more likely to fall as you get older, because as you age: your sense of balance
may decline, your muscles may weaken, your vision may deteriorate and your reaction
time slows-
Medication can also affect your balance or perception. Your risk of falling may increase if you are on four medications or more, if you take diuretics, sedatives or other sleeping medications, high blood pressure medications or medication for some psychological conditions.
You may download the Medication Chart Reminder and Medication Review here.
In addition, older people may be often affected by many health conditions that can increase the risk of falls.
The negative effects of too much alcohol on our sight, hearing, balance and judgement about personal safety are very clear. Whether used alone, or combined with medication, alcohol use can result in dangerous falls. Keep to wise and moderate consumption.
Poor vision, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma can affect your perception or make it difficult for you to see obstacles. Regular eyesight tests should be part of your routine.
To view Poor Vision Contact List, please click here.
Stroke, Parkinson's disease and hypothyroidism, among others, can affect your balance and ability to walk. Weakness or a general lack of conditioning can also have an effect. If you are concerned about your gait or balance, speak to your GP about it.
Disease of the lung, such as emphysema, may make it difficult for you to get around. When you become inactive, you may lose some of your muscle conditioning and balance. That may increase your chance of falling when you walk. If you are concerned about this, discuss with your GP or chest specialist the possibility of being referred to a physiotherapist to teach you breathing control and breathing exercises.
To visit the British Lung Foundation website, please click here.
Congestive heart failure, arrhythmia and other conditions affecting your heart and blood vessels can cause fainting or lead to inactive lifestyles which, as with lung disease, can increase your risk of falls. If you are worried about falling, it may be worth telling your GP about this. For further information go to contact list.
To view Cardiovascular Disease Contact List, please click here.
Disorders affecting your legs and feet
Arthritis, foot problems, muscle weakness and peripheral neuropathy -
Incontinence or the need to urinate frequently, especially at night, can lead to falls in several ways. You may stand up too quickly, leading to faintness from a momentary drop in blood pressure. Or you may trip on your way to the bathroom because you are still sleepy or you did not turn on the light. Take your time getting up and make sure that you can switch lights on from bed and other appropriate places. If you are concerned about this contact your district nurse or visit Help the Aged website at www.helptheaged.org.uk where you can download further information.
Discuss concerns about falling with your GP. Your GP may check for vision problems and / or review prescribed medications. Your GP may also evaluate your balance and movement. If necessary, he or she may prescribe physical therapy to help improve your balance and strength. Your GP may also recommend that you use a walking stick or other walking aid. If you are concerned about someone you know falling then show them this information. You might also wish to contact local services.
Falls: Reducing the risks!
General physical fitness
Given that your daily routines may become less physically demanding or you may stop a sport or exercise regime as you get older, you can experience reduced physical fitness, increasing the risk of falls. Maintaining or regaining physical fitness is the most effective preventive measure of all. All forms of exercise, formal and informal, can help maintain strength and vitality and protect you from injury.
Ability to maintain balance
Balance is an important element of fitness. Tai Chi, yoga and dancing are all exercises
that increase balance and steadiness -
Footwear and Care
Poorly fitting shoes or slipper and poor foot health contribute to risks of falling.
Research has shown that older people are more likely to fall in the home if they
are wearing ill-
To view Foot Care Contact List, please click here.
Diet and eating habits
Regular healthy meals help keep up strength and vitality. If you do not enjoy preparing meals for yourself, think about inviting friends, eating out or developing a routine that makes you look forward to your meals such as taking a walk to work up an appetite, trying out new recipes, or having a special treat. Missing meals can cause weakness and dizziness. Eating regular, balanced, healthy meals will help you to keep your strength.
Social Isolation
Depression, fear of falling and other psychological problems -
Hazards at home
Making simple changes at home -
Living room
Keep electrical and telephone cords tucked out of the way. Arrange furniture so that you can move around it easily. Get rid of throw rugs and make sure carpeting is secured to the floor. Buy chairs and couches that are easy to get up from.
Kitchen
Use a slip -
Bathroom
Install grab bars on walls around the bathtub and beside the toilet -
Bedroom
Get rid of throw rugs. Place light switches within reach of the bed and install a night light between the bedroom and bathroom. Make sure that you can reach the telephone from your bed. Install a grab bar next to the bed. When you do get up from bed, do so slowly to avoid dizziness. Nightwear should be short enough so that you will not trip over it.
Stairways, hallways and pathways
Keep free of clutter and check to see that areas are well lit. Make sure your carpet is secured and get rid of throw rugs. Install handrails on both sides of the stairs and make sure they are securely mounted. Apply brightly coloured tape to the face of the steps to make them more visible.
If you want to find more about how to prevent falls at home please check our Falls Safety Check list. This questionnaire is aimed to assist you to identify areas within your home environment that could be made safer and prevent falls in the future.
Top Tips - Quick Reminder
Remove throw rugs and excess furniture, such as coffee tables. Avoid high-
In some situations, the use of hip protectors -
Other tips for avoiding falls at home include wearing rubber-
In the Garden
Put the hose away in a secure area when you are not using it . Make sure rakes and shovels are safely put away when not in use. Wear shoes that support and stabilise you. Have garden tools handy (i.e. in your gardening apron pocket). Do not walk on wet grass; keep the yard, pathways and steps free of leaves and twigs. Make sure your garden furniture and ornaments are steady and in good repair. Install handrails where there are steps
When going out
Take all the time you need -
Where to get further information
Your GP
Always consult your GP following a fall even if you are not badly hurt. She or he can determine the cause of the fall and if necessary refer you on to appropriate help.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) provides a variety of advice and information on falls:
Write to:
RoSPA Information Services,
Edgbaston Park,
353 Bristol Road.
Birmingham, B5 7ST
Or Call: 0121 248 2064
E-
Website: www.rospa.co.uk
Primary Care Occupational Therapy Team
Will be able to advise you on how to make your home safer, and advise you on the way to do things and supply of equipment (if necessary) Contact: Ainslie Rehabilitation Unit. Telephone: 020 8535 6591.
Social Services -
Telephone: 0208 496 3000. This number is Social Services' single point of contact.
Physiotherapists
Some physiotherapists specialised in the needs of older people and can assess your ability to get up from a fall without help, advice on the safest method of getting up from a fall and where appropriate teach specific exercise and supply mobility aids.
The Waltham Forest Falls Collaborative
Provides a wide range of information to all older people living in the community or can advice about services available in the borough. The Falls Collaborative also provide services to older people who have fallen or are at risk of falls who are not known to services, or refer them on to appropriate services if necessary. Contact:
Chris Bateson on 0208 558 8716. E-
Age Concern Waltham Forest provides a range of pendant alarms to suit different needs. The alarms consist of a lightweight transmitter (worn on a wrist strap or neck cord) and a unit connected to a standard telephone socket. Contact:
Aslam Syyed (Trading Co-
The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)
Information and advice for anyone with serious sight problems. Mondays to Fridays
-
Phone: 0345 669999
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Help the Aged Booklet -
Phone: 020 7278 1114
Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk
If you have difficulty in getting to a high street optician, or difficulty with mobility you may qualify for a FREE Domiciliary Eye Test. The Outside Clinic, the UK's longest established domiciliary eye testing service, can test your eyes in your own home. For further information or to arrange a visit call FREEPHONE 0500 295245 or visit their website at www.outsideclinic.com
Lung diseases
The British Lung Foundation, is an organisation working for those affected by lung disease. In their website www.lunguk.org you can find out more about specific conditions or locate your nearest support group.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the leading national charity fighting heart
and circulatory diseases. Heart information line on 08450 70 80 70 -
If you feel you need chiropody treatment, you should discuss this with your GP. In
many cases your doctor will be able to arrange free treatment through the NHS. However,
owing to the pressure on this service you may have to wait for sometime before seeing
an NHS chiropodist. If you would prefer to pay privately for chiropody treatment,
ask your doctor to recommend a local Registered Chiropodist doing private work. If
you cannot afford private treatment call Chris Bateson from The Falls Collaborative
on 020 8558 8716 for further information or e-
www.podiatrypages.co.uk to find out a local Chiropodist
www.sorefeet.co.uk this is a Chiropodist based at Chingford.
Falls: Self-Home Safety Checklist
ACWF Falls Collaborative provides information and advice on how to prevent falls.
Contact: Chris Bateson on 020 8558 8716 or e-
We have more information about the help that Age Concern Waltham Forest is able to offer on this website, and an online assessment form that you can submit to us, so that we can review your situation.
Handyman
Small house maintenance jobs including plumbing and electrical jobs for older people at reasonable cost. References taken up by Age Concern Waltham Forest. Contact: Ricky Sturgess on 07950 744 854
Community Equipment Service: Equipment for daily living
Equipment can make easier and safer to deal with everyday tasks such as preparing
food, bathing, toileting and getting around at home and in the community. For more
information or an assessment please contact 0208 558 8716 or e-
New website available
A new website is available for older people to help them assess what activities they should undertake to reduce their risk of falling. Designed by the University of Southampton and RioMed, the site is part of a research project that enables older people to identify factors that increase their risk of falling and to plan an exercise programme around their needs and requirements. Visit www.balancetraining.org.uk to find out more.
Social
- loss of independence
- loss of social contacts
- move to residential care
- financial costs of help/care
- decreased quality of life
- changes to daily routine
Psychological
- loss of confidence
- loss of independence
- fear
- distress
- guilt
- blame
- anxiety
- embarrassment
