Don’t Fall This Summer: Tips To Reduce Falls – Part 1

Summer is no time for a fall! Even with the risk of slippery ice or snow, falls are still an issue in the summer. Over two million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized in 2010.

Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions and are the leading cause of injury death in people over age 65. As many as one out of three adults age 65 and older fall each year yet less than half of those people tell their doctor about the fall.

Medical Department Store has put together some helpful tips to reduce falls reduce falls:

• Keep your stairs clutter free and make sure all carpet on the stairs is secure.
• Don’t be afraid to turn on lights in these areas. Keep hallways, walkways and paths are well-lit
• Avoid walking on wet floors and wipe up any spills right way.
• Have your eyes checked. Cataracts and macular  degeneration can increase falls.
• Keep cords out of walkways. That includes phone and electric cords.
• Keep all mail, magazines or newspapers off of the floor.
• Remove throw rugs and area rugs. In the bathroom,  only use rugs with rubber backing.
• Use no-slips grips and mats bathtubs and showers.
• Add grab bars in showers and tubs and by the toilet.
• Be sure all railings are secure. If you don’t have  railings, get some. This applies to indoor and outdoor stairs.

Look around your home or the home of a parent who may have trouble with falls. What simple changes could you make to help reduce falls in the home?

Medical Department Store carries lift chairs and grab bars that can help to reduce falls.  Talk to one of our equipment specialist today to learn how to you home and life safer.