Almost two-thirds of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors are the result of falls and it is estimated that injurious falls cost the health care system over $1 billion each year. .
Let's face it! Most of us just don't have the time to understand most of this stuff until we are faced with a parent or elderly loved one that needs our support.
I hope this info helps you in delivering the care, love, and respect that our aging family members deserve.
Web Sites
- Safe and Independent - Fall prevention for Seniors
- How to Stay Safe and Independent in your Home is a short video that gives safety tips and suggestions for making your home safe and keeping you independent. By viewing this tape, you can learn techniques to help minimize the risk of a fall - one of the most common accidents for seniors.
- Fall Prevention in Elderly: Health Care and Legal Resources
- Offers health care professionals with resources on fall prevention in the elderly in community, home care, assisted living, acute hospital and nursing home settings. Offers legal profession with expert legal advise on falls in elderly.
- Parent Care: For The Daughters and Sons of Senior Citizens
- Parent Care provides one-stop comprehensive and practical national, state and local eldercare information for caregivers of senior citizens. We provide myriad ways to extend seniors%uFFFD safety and independence while saving caregivers time, money and worry - seasonal information (e.g. flu shots & taxes)
- American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
- This association has compiled a list of information and checklists on Preventing Falls. There is great information on this page and it is printable which will be helpful for caregivers.
- Fall Proofing Your Home
- The NSC offers some great tips on Fall-Proofing your home.
- Building the Fall-Proof Home
- This article is also from the NSC and focuses on remodeling and building issues that could help prevent a fall.
Fall Prevention Video
How To Stay Safe and Independent in Your Home: Fall Prevention For Seniors
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 10/11/2008)
Aging in America: A Wake-Up Call & Call to Action for Seniors & Those Who Love & Serve Them
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 10/11/2008)
Reports
Industry Data and Research
- Report on Seniors' falls in Canada - Division of Aging and Seniors - Public Health Agency of Canada
- Almost two-thirds of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors are the result of falls and it is estimated that injurious falls cost the health care system over $1 billion each year. Falls are the cause of disability, reduced quality of life and social contact, institutionalization, shortened live
- Falls and Hip Fractures, Facts - NCIPC
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Fall prevention toolkit, data, statistics and helpful prevention tips.
Fall Prevention Checklist
___Install grab-bars wherever needed.
___Consider a locking elevated toilet seat with hand rails.
___Use a shower chair or a tub bench for bathing.
___Pull up throw rugs.
___Install non-slip surfaces in shower or tub and outside shower or tub.
___Use a night light.
KITCHEN
___Place frequently used dishes, utensils, and cups on countertop.
___Use microwave instead of stove or range top whenever possible.
___Purchase and/or store heavy items, such as milk and laundry detergent, in smaller and easier to manage containers.
___Prepare food and meals from a seated position.
___Keep items on most accessible shelf in refrigerator.
___Avoid reaching into cabinets that are too high or too low.
BEDROOM
___Keep a phone and light next to bed.
___Consider the use of a bedside commode for night time trips to the toilet.
___Assure that the bed is not too high or too low, making it difficult to get off of.
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD
___Keep a cordless phone with you at all times with emergency numbers programmed in.
___Keep walkways clear of clutter and electrical cords.
___Consider the use of a personal emergency response system.
___Pull up floor rugs.
___Use good lighting.
Compliments of: Safe and Independent Living
Linda Schlenker, OTR/L (602) 576-3828
Fall Prevention Products
Drive Locking Elevated Toilet Seat With Arms
Amazon Price: $56.65 (as of 10/11/2008)
Bedside Commode - Includes Back, Pail, & Splash Guard - Each
Amazon Price: $56.73 (as of 10/11/2008)
The HandiRail Half Bed Rail, Made in the USA
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Transfer Bench - Economy - Molded
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Medline 12 Inch Grab Bar, Knurled Chrome
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 10/11/2008)
Medline Bathtub Bar, Locks to Side of Tub
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
Carex 28 x 16 Bathtub Mat, Ecru
Amazon Price: $12.93 (as of 10/11/2008)
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Great lens. An few modifications means independent living Posted October 11, 2006 |
