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Fall PreventionFacts and Stats

About one third of the elder population over theage of 65 falls each year, and the risk of falls

increases proportionately with age. At 80 years,over half of seniors fall annually.

Falls are the leading cause of death due to

injury among the elderly, and 87% of allfractures in the elderly are due to falls.

Falls account for 25% of all hospitaladmissions, and 40% of all nursing home

admissions. 40% of those admitted do notreturn to independent living; 25% die within a

year. Every year, about 235,000 people over age 15

visit emergency rooms because of injuries

suffered in the bathroom.

Preventing Falls in the Bathroom

Install grab bars on walls around the tub and

beside thetoilet, strong

enough to hold

your weight.

Add nonskid

mats orappliques to

bathtubs.

Mount liquidsoap dispenser

on thebathtub-wall.

Install a portable, hand-held showerhead.

Add a padded bath or shower seat.

Install a raised toilet seat if needed.

Use nonskid maor carpet on floor surfac

that may get wet.

Preventing Falls duri

Rest and Sleep

Install bed rails

both sides of the bed toprevent one from rollin

and falling out of bed while sleeping.

Place a non-slip mat next to the bed to preve

individuals from slipping on tile, wood, orlinoleum floors.

Weargripped socks orthick-soled shoes

while walking,getting out of a ch

or bed to preventfalls.

Preventing Falls while Getting around To

Position tip guard properly on wheelchair toprevent individuals from falling backwards

Wear thewheelchair seatbelt

at all times Place grip tape

(contrasted color)

at the end of

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railings and at the bottom of astaircase to prevent falling

down the stairs. Place cut tennis balls

on the bottom of all four legsof a walker to easily

manipulate the walker

on all surfaces.

When using a walker orcane, it is important to

stand up straight and beaware of your

surroundings.

Put nightlights at the end of the stairs and indark hallways to help aluminate walkways and

decrease the risk of falling

How to get up from a Fall

If you have any questions regarding this article, fe

free to contact megan.mccarthy@scranton.edu

References

The American Occupational Therapy Association.

(2011, August 16). Aota.org. Retrieved from

http://www.aota.org

Spoelstra, S. L., Given, B. A., & Given, C. W.

(2012). Fall Prevention in Hospitals: An

Integrative Review. Clinical Nursing Research,

21(1), 92-112. doi:10.1177/1054773811418106

2. Rise

3. Sit

1. Pre are

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