Medline Canada Marks Fall
Prevention Month with Safety Tips for Seniors and Caregivers
When thinking of the most notorious ailments that can send someone to the hospital, a few probably come to mind: heart attacks, cancer, diabetes. But perhaps less obvious is the leading cause of injury for seniors in Canada: falls.
November is Fall Prevention Month in Canada, a time to raise awareness of this major safety issue for seniors. Each year, 20 to 30 per cent of Canadian seniors will experience a fall. These falls account for 85 per cent of all seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations.[i] They can result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, a loss of independence and even death.
With other health problems, mitigating risks may come more naturally — think of the family member who skips fried foods for their cholesterol — but with falls, knowing the risks and being proactive can be just as easy and really make a difference.
There are three main risk factors:
Intrinsic Risks – These are things associated with the body and may be more pronounced as you get older. We know that as people get older, their risk level for falls increases. Examples of risks of this nature include:
Gait or balance impairment – slow reaction time, shorter step lengths or limited range of motion
Decreased vision or hearing
Acute illness – symptoms such as fever, weakness, nausea or dizziness
Muscle weakness and reduced fitness – the lack of strength and endurance necessary to prevent a slip or stumble from becoming a fall
Behavioural Risks – These are risks resulting from individual actions that someone may or may not do. Here are a few examples:
Assistive devices – proper maintenance and use of devices is critical
Clothing and shoes – shoes that do not provide the proper support, clothes that are difficult to put on or slippers with poor grip are all risks
Certain medications – side effects that may cause dizziness or confusion
Environmental Risks – While the other risks have to do with an individual, these are associated with everything surrounding a person. With some studies showing 50 to 60 per cent of falls happen within the home[i], environmental hazards are important to be cognizant of. Here are some examples:
Room environment – everything from a loose carpet to electrical cords to slippery floors
Weather – in Canada, we’re used to frigid temperatures which means icy conditions that make slipping more likely
Community hazards – these are often related to building design or community infrastructure that fails to take into account the experience of older people, such as no hand railings near steps
There are practical tips you can take to mitigate these risks.
Knowing the types of risks is half of the battle. There are practical tips you can take to mitigate these risks.
Intrinsic Risks
Monitor your health – regular check-ups to check eyesight and hearing every year or two is important
Stay active – regular exercise can improve your overall health but also mean you’re less susceptible to falling
Behavioural Risks
Education and awareness – for both older adults and their caregivers, being cognizant of the risks and mitigation strategies
Appropriate use of assistive devices – some seniors worry about the bulkiness or stigma associated with assistive devices, but they are key parts of reducing the chances of falls. Seeking advice from your doctor is recommended to ensure you’re using the appropriate device
Environmental Risks
A safe environment – the only way to combat environmental risks is to change the environment, like removing clutter, ensuring proper lighting, removing hazards that could cause someone to trip or slip, etc.
Importantly, if a fall does happen, ensure that there are ways to call for help — whether it’s a call button in reach, living with someone who can help, etc.
For clinicians and caregivers, there are additional steps you can take to mitigate falls for patients. Start by completing a fall risk screening assessment upon patient admission, evaluating the patient’s needs and physical condition and regularly updating as needed. Tailor any interventions based on the patient’s needs and risk.
Medline can help standardize processes to address key risk factors for falls management. Not only do we look at falls management, but also safe patient handling and safe mobility from a holistic perspective. Together, these help promote patient and staff safety.
By reading up on the risks and mitigation strategies for falls, you’ve really embraced the spirit of Fall Prevention Month. By staying ready and aware, safety can be improved to help prevent dangerous falls for seniors.
