TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF Exercise regularly. Exercise improves your and Fall Prevention coordination. Consider joining classes for balance. Consult with your physician and ask for information.

Have your doctor or pharmacist evaluate all of your current including those that are prescribed and those Knowing about the impact and causes that are over the counter medications. Some of falls will assist you and your family combinations will create dizziness and set you up for falls. in preventing falls from occurring.

Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor.

Get up slowly from a sitting position. Use assistance de- vices.

Wear shoes with non-skid soles that fit, inside and outside of the home.

Check car for safety issues: wiper blades, brakes, and en- sure your vision is unobstructed.

Always use your seatbelt.

Do not drink and drive.

Do not mix alcohol with medications.

Do not use ladders without consulting with your doctor and family.

Complete an Advance Healthcare Directive document with your doctor and discuss it with your family. May is National Trauma Awareness Month

Fall Prevention Falls: Preventable at any Age! Page 2 American Trauma Society Fall Prevention Page 7 Home Evaluation Pediatric Specific Risks Evaluate the kitchen. If yes, move items into an Are there items you use easily reachable area, Falls occur at all ages. Each age population has identified often on high or low preferably waist high. shelves? risks that lead to falls.

The pediatric population is typically divided into the follow- Evaluate the bathroom. Put a non-slip rubber mat or ing groups with the identified age specific risks which often self-stick strip on the floor lead to falls. Is the tub or shower area of the shower or tub. Have a slippery? Do you need some carpenter place grab bars • Infants: Infants begin to rollover at about 3 months of support when you get in and inside the tub and next to the out of the shower / tub or up age. Keep your hand on the child to prevent them from toilet. from the toilet? rolling off the changing table. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the use of rolling walkers. Evaluate the bedroom. Place a lamp close to the bed Is the light near the bed hard in easy reach. Ensure it is • Toddlers: Children have a difficult time negotiating to reach? Is the path from easy to reach and turn on. until around 3 years of age. Use gates to prevent your bed to the bathroom Keep eye- on night access to staircases. Toddlers are at risk for off of dark or have objects in the stand, easily reachable. Use pathway? night lights so the path is furniture, furniture falling on them and falling from win- well lit. Remove all objects dows. Furniture and windows should be secured. in path.

• Pre-Schoolers through Primary School: Many chil- Keep emergency numbers in Keep emergency contact dren do not have a coordinated run until 9 years of age. large print near each phone. numbers for next of kin When on wheeled vehicles children must wear a hel- Ambulance - 911 immediately available. met. When on playground equipment remove the hel- Fire Dept. - 911 Name: met. Playgrounds should have rubber or sand surfaces. Physician: Phone: • Adolescents: Adolescents are risk takers! Ensure Cell Phone: proper protective equipment is worn for all activities and sports. Page 6 American Trauma Society Fall Prevention Page 3 Walk through your home and ask Adult Specific Risks yourself these questions: The adult population is divided into the adult and geriatric or Do you have throw rugs on the floor? aging population.

If yes, remove the rugs or use double-sided tape • Adults: Includes those individuals from their early or non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip. twenties to sixty-five years of age.

• Geriatric: Defined as those individuals sixty-five years Do you have papers, books, objects on the of age and older. floor? The adult population’s risks of falling are typically related to Keep floors tidy. Have someone pick up all objects and develop a system to keep them off the recreational activity, home or the work environment. floor. Examples of recreational activities include climbing or hiking. Falls around the home would include individuals Do you have steps from your porch or stairway working on ladders, on their roof or tripping on items inside into the house? their home. Factors that contribute to falls are faulty safety Make sure lighting is sufficient, use nightlights, equipment, inappropriate use of equipment and the check for steps that are uneven, chipped or in consumption of alcohol. Review of the national data reflects need of repair. If stairs are carpeted, check that falls are responsible for approximately 36% of falls carpet for tears. Have an electrician put in a cared for in a trauma center. light switch at the bottom of the stairs. Use switches that put off a glow to make them easy to find. Fix loose handrails. Falls are Preventable! Notes: Page 4 American Trauma Society Fall Prevention Page 5 Preventing Falls

Age-related changes contribute to falls in the older popula- Tell your doctor about all falls and the events leading up to tion. Medical problems add to the risk of falling. the fall. Be proactive, take precautions to prevent falls. sustained from falls lead to complications and in the older population. Falls are among the most common reasons Home: for a decline in the older individual’s ability to manage their • Remove things that may cause you to trip. own daily activities. This may lead to a need for daily assis- • Repair loose carpet. tance, admission to a skilled facility, or movement to an as- sisted living environment. • Move furniture and electrical cords out of walk path- ways. Common Medical Conditions That Lead To Falls: • Use nonskid floor wax, wipe up spills immediately. • Unstable balance • Place rubber tips on walkers, canes and clean tips often. • Use of more than four prescriptions medications • Keep house well lit, use night lights, especially on stairs. • Hip weakness • Decreased muscle strength • Turn on lights if you must get up at night. • / Hearing impairment • Have handrails installed to assist you in the bathroom. • Depression • Dizziness or faintness upon standing Daily Activity:

• Urinary incontinence • Store household items so that you do not have to reach, • Arthritis climb or stoop over. • Diabetes • Use reaching devices. • Presence of pain • If you have to use a step stool, use one with rails. • • Do not carry heavy items or items that cause you to be- • Alzheimer’s disease come off balance. • Anemia • Wear low-heeled shoes with nonskid soles that fit. • Parkinson’s Disease • Do not wear socks without shoes on smooth floors. • / Previous stroke