 Injury Prevention Program  Preventing Falls

Northwest Washington Indian Health Board  Non-profit organization  Governed by representatives from 5 tribes: Lummi, Nooksack, Upper Skagit, Samish and Swinomish  We have four programs: Environmental Health, Injury Prevention, Healthy Heart and Diabetes Program

Northwest Washington Indian Health Board  Injury Prevention Program is funded by the I.H.S. TIPCAP

What YOU can do to Prevent Falls Preventing Falls

Many falls can be prevented  By making simple changes, YOU can reduce your risk of falling.

Things you can do to prevent falls  Engage in a regular exercise program

Things you can do to prevent falls  Engage in a regular exercise program

Things you can do to prevent Falls  With your doctor, review the medicines you take.  Use a daily medication management system – Medi-set

Things you can do to prevent falls  Have your vision checked regularly

Things you can do to prevent falls  Make your home free of hazards.

Floors: Look at the floor in each room  When you walk through a room do you have to walk around furniture?  Ask someone to move furniture so your path is clear  Do you have throw rugs on the floor?  Remove rugs or use a non- slip backing so rugs won’t slip.

Stairs and Steps: Look at the stairs you use, both inside & outside.  Are you missing a light over the stairway?  Are the handrails loose or broken?  Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

Bedrooms: Look at all your bedrooms  Is the light near the bed hard to reach?  Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark and or cluttered?

Bathrooms: Look at all your bathrooms.  Is the tub or shower floor slippery?  Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or get up from the toilet?

Kitchen: Look at your kitchen and eating area.  Are the things you use often on high shelves?  Avoid using ladders and stools.

Preventing Falls  Get up slowly after you sit or lie down.  Wear shoes both inside and outside the house.  Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.

Preventing falls  Use a walker or cane

Preventing Falls  Improve the lighting in your home. Put in brighter bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are bright and cost less to use.  It’s safest to have uniform lighting in a room. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.

More Safety Tips  Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone. Dial 911 for emergency.  Use Home medical emergency monitoring – pendants or bracelets

Fire Safety – What you should know  If a fire occurred in your home, would your smoke alarm work?

Fire Safety – Does everyone know what to do in case of a fire?  Practice Fire Drills at home.

Fire Safety - Cooking  Cooking fires are the leading cause of fire injuries & the third leading cause of fire deaths among older adults.  Call Do Not try to extinguish the fire

Fire Safety - Smoking  Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths among people aged 65 and older.  Designate an area to smoke.  use large non-tip ashtrays and soak cigarette butts and ashes before discarding.  Never smoke in bed

Fire Safety – Electrical Safety  Don’t overload electrical outlets/circuits

Questions?