How to Prevent Falls in Senior Care

The risk of falls and fall-related injuries increases with age. As well as injury, a fall may lead to avoidance of daily activities, social isolation and lowered quality of life.

Fall prevention is an important focus in nursing homes. Most facilities provide staff education on fall prevention to increase awareness and promote a culture of safety..

Personal Risk Factors

Falls in nursing home settings and other residential care facilities can result in moderate and serious injuries such as bone fractures, dislocations, head injury, sprains and bruising. Even when the injury is not serious the consequences can be dire. The resident may lose confidence when walking and develop a ‘fear of falling’ which leads to a sedentary way of life and ensuing functional decline. Here are some personal risk factors to observe:

• Leg weakness and numbness
• Shuffling gait, off-balance
• Medication (sedatives, anti-psychotic drugs)
• Cognitive deficit
• History of falling
• Poor Vision
• Illnesses (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and arthritis)

Environmental Hazards

Environment hazards are often involved in falls by older people. Stairs without handrails, poorly signed directions, overhanging bushes in the garden. Be vigilant of these and other potential hazards such as:

• Clutter and other obstructions on the floor
• Poor lighting
• Loose rugs on the floor
• Wet floors
• Poorly maintained wheelchairs
• Unstable furniture
• Uneven floors

Falls Prevention in the Recreation area

As part of the interdisciplinary team, Leisure & Health coordinators and other Activities staff can play an important role in supervising, noticing and reporting ‘at risk’ residents in the recreation area.

Some measures to help prevent falls are:

• Place ‘at risk’ residents at tables near you for easier observation during activities.
• Supervise transfers from wheelchair to chair and vice-versa. Coach residents to use stable furniture for support.
• Observe shoe wear; lace or fasten where necessary. Change shoes/slippers if deemed dangerous.
• Watch out for non-compliance with use of walking sticks and walking frames.
• Assist residents perceived to be confused or disoriented in the recreation area.
• Endeavour to increase exercise participation.
• Increase supervision of residents on new medication.
• Escort visually impaired residents to-and-fro.
• Support activities that aim at increasing visitors and relatives awareness.

Falls Prevention - Activities Conducive to Fitness

There are several activities that can help residents to gain fitness and reduce the risk of falling. Low impact aerobic activities are suitable. You may try activities like Wi Fi games, outdoor activities, exercises and movement to music, seated balance fitness sessions and more such as:

• Group Tai Chi
• Start a ‘Keep Active’ routine for ambulant residents. Take them on a 20 minute walk through the garden or around the block.
• Ask your Physiotherapist for a tailored 30 minutes endurance exercises to suit the needs of the group you have in mind.
• Games that require catching, shaking or throwing such as soft balls, musical instruments, bean bags, tennis balls, balloons, Frisbees, and carpet bowls.

Finally, if a resident falls in the recreation area follow your facility’s protocol. Make sure the person is as comfortable as possible before calling clinical staff. A small pillow under the head and someone holding his or her hand while waiting for help to arrive.