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Preventing Falls
Protecting ourselves and our loved ones from falling.
Adapting Home
Welcome and Introduction
Presented by:
Ted van Nostrand
• Executive Certificate in Home Modifications
• School of Gerontology, USC
• AdaptingHome.com
Adapting Home
Presentation Goals
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
• Recognize that most falls result from a combination of factors
• Identify strategies and resources and modifications that you can use to reduce your risk of falls.
Adapting Home
Risk Factors
The risk factors that can lead to falls amongst older adults include:
• Physical – our bodies change as we age
• Behavioral – things that we choose to do
• Environmental – hazards existing in our homes. We will focus on this aspect.
Adapting Home
Risk Factors
In this situation:
• What are some of the environmental factors?
• What are some of the behavioral factors?
Adapting Home
Physical Risk Factors
These factors would be assessed by your physician and would include:
• Medication
• Vision
• Balance
Adapting Home
Strategies to Reduce Physical Risk
In consultation with health care community and occupational therapy:
• Manage chronic illness or conditions
• Have your eyes checked regularly
• Stay active and exercise regularly
• Stay hydrated
Adapting Home
Behavioral Risk Factors
This requires personal reflection and a recognition that we all get older and our bodies change – hard to do!
Some behaviors we choose include:
• Carrying heavy loads on stairs
• Reaching precariously
• Moving around in the darkAdapting Home
Strategies to Reduce Behavioral Risk
We need to find alternative behaviors that reduce the risk such as carrying smaller loads.
However, we will find that strategies here will be closely linked with how we can change our environment.
We’ll focus on this in the next section.
Adapting Home
Environmental Risk Factors
Many older adults have lived in the same home for many years. However, our capabilities change.
So, it’s likely our homes need to be modified to meet our needs.
Adapting Home
Basic Strategies for Environmental Risk
• Keep your floors clutter free.
• Remove small rugs or tape down or secure them.
• Add grab bars in the bathroom.
• Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.
• Make sure your home has lots of light.
Adapting Home
No-cost and Low-cost Strategies
Please refer to the brochure
AARP HomeFit No-Cost Low-Cost Ideas
Adapting Home
Full Home Self-Assessment Strategies
Links can be found on the Resources tab of the
Adapting Home website
AdaptingHome.com
Check out the
CHMC – Self-Assessment Guide
Adapting Home
Comprehensive Safety Guides
Links can be found on the Resources tab of the
Adapting Home website
AdaptingHome.com
Check out The Safe Living Guide
from the Public Health Agency of Canada
Adapting Home