A Brief Guide to Fall Prevention

Fall prevention is the basic concept of making a person as well as the environment they live and work in, safe. This includes the installation of item like grab bars, rails, sturdy furniture, and the use of things such as helmets, protectors, slip-resistant mats, etc. Fall prevention is basically adhered to people with partial or complete mobility impairment. It is also prescribed to people who have motor disabilities such as difficulties in grabbing or holding on to things, vertigo issues, and other balance and physical concentration problems.

Types of Falls that can be avoided using Fall Prevention Methods

There are three major types of falls according to medical professionals:

• Physiological and Anticipated - These falls are basically related to those people that have vertigo issues, unbalanced gait, etc. where a person knows that there are great chances of the person falling or tripping suddenly without the interference of an external factor such as a push.
• Physiological and Unanticipated - Falls related to seizures, strokes, or syncopal episodes are classified under unanticipated falls. The person knows that an attack might cause a fall but cannot anticipate when the attack might occur and hence cannot anticipate the fall.
• Accidental Falls - These falls include those that occur in the bathroom, or while walking and tripping. They include the interference of an external factor that results in the fall.

Questions one should think about while considering using Fall Prevention

Before you implement the methods of fall prevention it is advisable to think and answer all the questions about the person for which the prevention is being implemented:

• Does the person have a history of falls? If yes, then which are the most susceptible parts of the house or the workplace?
• Does the person use mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs or walkers?
• What medications is the person consuming and which of them can be the reason for a fall?
• What is the psychological status of the person in case? Are there are any psychological or neurological issues that might impair the basic balance and gait of the person resulting in a fall?
• Is the person suffering from incontinence? If yes, what measures can be taken to stop the person from falling due to this condition?
• Are there any medical devices or tubes that might trip the person and cause a fall? If yes, can they be removed, re-positioned, or replaced?

What are the Fall Prevention Options?

There are two basic types of fall prevention options.

1) Implemented in the Surroundings- These are a set of items that are placed or installed at the place where you desire to implement the fall prevention system, for example, at home or at the workplace.

One of the first and foremost are Fall Mats. Fall mats are basically meant to be placed near beds. The are made to keep the user safe from fall injuries that result from the person falling from the bed. Many people might not realize that they have slipped out and are on the verge of falling from the bed. These mats protect the person. Some have inbuilt alarms that go off if sudden pressure is applied. This helps the loved ones of the user to know that the person has fallen off the bed.

Grab Rails and Bars are also an important fall prevention option for people who have imbalanced gait and mobility issues. They are majorly installed in the bathrooms where the risk of falling is the greatest. They are also installed in corridors and at places where a person has to walk a lot to reach a place.

Carex Textured Wall Grab Bars

Shower Mats and Bathing Steps are also used by many in the bathrooms to avoid any instance of falling. These items provide grip on wet surface and can be also used in the kitchen.

Essential Medical Deluxe Shower Mat

2) Worn or Implemented By the User - These are a set of items that are used or worn by the user to prevent any instances of falling.

There are three basic categories of these products:

• Head protection - This includes the use of helmets, head supports, chin guards, etc.
   

  Head Support	Chin Guard	Helmet



• Hip protection - Products such as men’s briefs, women’s briefs, shorts that are designed to support the hip and also give adequate friction so that the user doesn’t slip.
   

  Women's Brief	Men's Brief	Shorts



• Feet protection - This includes the use of shoe covers and slippers that are specially made to avoid slipping and falling. Fall resistant socks are ideal for people who cannot wear supportive footwear all the time.
   

  Shoe Cover	Slippers	Socks

Precautions while using Fall Prevention

• Always make the user familiar with the fall prevention products such as mats and rails.
• Teach them the right method to use the products such as helmets or hip supports.
• Always check that the grab bars or rails are fixed and not shaky.
• Have ample of light in the room where the person stays to avoid any tripping over in the dark.
• Always keep the floor dry near the user.
• Keep the surroundings of the user clean and clutter-free.

 

Fall Prevention is not a herculean task and with the right kind of attention and care, a person can easily make an environment or surrounding fall proof. Choosing the right fall prevention products is paramount to a healthy and fall free environment.
 

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