FALL PREVENTION/HOME SAFETY April 21, 2015 ROMAN BATYUK, BSN, RN, CCRN, EMT-P, FNP-(s) DANIEL DENNIS, MS, RN, CEN, CPEN, EMT-P, FNP-(s)

WHERE DO PEOPLE FALL? #1 Location HOME

Falls at home 2011 23,000 deaths attributed to falls at home of people 65 years and older 2.4 Million emergency room visits

Home safety What can you do? Look in each room on the floor Do you have to walk around/over things? Throw rugs Remove them or secure them to the floor Clutter Keep things off the floor Cords Have them covered, wrapped up

HOME safety Stairs/Steps Clutter Make sure they are clear of debris Uneven or broken Get them fixed Lighting Make sure the bulb is working, have it fixed Capet on stairs Make sure carpets are secured Handrails Make sure that they are secure/get more put in

Home safety Kitchen Are things easy to reach Have a step stool available Bathroom Is the floor slippery Do you need grab bars Bedroom Is the light easy to reach Do you have a clear path to the bathroom/hallway?

pets We Love em’ Keep them properly caged when using assistive device Use Gates to secure them

Footwear Wear Proper Footwear Inside or Outside Rubber soled Proper fit

medications High Blood Pressure Cardiac (Heart Medications) Pain Pills

Good medications Medicines that can DECREASE your risk to fall: VITAMIN D CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER

VISION GET YOUR VISION CHECKED: YEARLY

Exercise Exercise Can Reduce your chances of falling! Leg raises Arm Curls Resistance Bands

exercise Wrist curls Front arm raise

exercise Chair dip Toe Stand

Tai Chi Tai Chi Increases Balance Strength

What type of activities assist in fall prevention? questions What type of activities assist in fall prevention? a. Sitting b. Running c. Balance and strengthening exercises

How many hours of balance and exercise do you need in one week? questions How many hours of balance and exercise do you need in one week? a. 12 hours b. 3 hours c. 24 hours

Name three medications that can increase your risk of falling questions Name three medications that can increase your risk of falling Blood pressure medications Narcotics (Pain Medicaiton) Heart Medications

How frequent should your vision be checked? questions How frequent should your vision be checked? a. Every 3 years b. When you have vision changes c. At least once a year

Where do most falls occur? questions Where do most falls occur? a. stores b. outside c. in the home

What kind of footwear is best to wear both inside and outside? questions What kind of footwear is best to wear both inside and outside? a. Slippers b. heavy Boots c. Rubber soled, proper fitting

If you have pets how can you keep them from causing you to fall? Questions If you have pets how can you keep them from causing you to fall? Keep them properly caged/restrained when using a walking device Provide proper gates to keep them from affecting your walking

Questions What are three things in your home environment that can increase your likelihood of falling? Pets Throw rugs Poor lighting Slippery floors Clutter lining any walkway

Questions Name a few low stress and easy exercises you can do? Leg Raises Low weight arm curls Resistance bands Wrist curls Front arm raise Chair dip Toe Stand

questions