How to deal with falls?

[freezingspark]

My dad had a fall last week in the garden, luckily he's all ok now, just a couple of bruises but I'm starting to get worried about this happening more.

What should be the first steps i take to make this as easy as possible for my dad?

[Hidden]

Hi freezingspark,

Sorry to hear of your dad's fall and I'm pleased he didn't suffer serious injury, but it is a shaking up as well as a bit of a waking up when this starts to happen in older age.

I think the first thing which helps is to go around his environment and look for anything that might contribute to a fall. Any furniture or items that might clutter a walkway, loose rugs etc., should now be removed, and outside in the garden make sure there are no flagstones etc. which are uneven and pay attention to any step downs or ups that you might be able to make into small ramps.

Then be sure that dad's footwear fits comfortably but snugly, as loose slippers are a prime cause of falling.

Try to persuade him to use walking aids, at least at home and try not to let him attempt flights of stairs alone.

Finally make sure there's nothing medically making him more unsteady than he should be through such things as dizziness brought on by medication or new medical conditions.

I think that being aware that falls become common in old age is as much of a help as anything, and you've shown you already are aware and actively looking for ways to stop them. I do hope you'll be able to help dad avoid any more unfortunate falls, as they do sap confidence sometimes and it's good to keep him moving without too much fear, as far as possible.

Very best wishes to both of you and I hope your dad is completely over his fall very soon.

[freezingspark in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for all your advice, this is really useful! There's definitely some loose carpets lying round the house so will try to take a look at those. Will try and find out if there's any thing we can do about the walking aids and meds

[MEW53]

Callendarsgal has made some great suggestions, making sure there is nothing to contribute to future falls.

I have mobility issues with my health but I am very careful and I never do anything that could cause a problem. I’ve had a few bad falls in the past but they have made me more aware.

Make sure area are light up, so that the place is well lit up if moving around when it is dark, time switches are a good idea. My sister has MS and lives alone and has been struggling for a few years but didn’t want any help. She ended up falling over in the house and cut her eye, the paramedics were called and they stitched her eye. It was a shock to her system and now she has stopped doing silly things, she has walking aids now and AgeUK came and fitted some extra handrails which has helped.

Medication can trigger dizziness, may be worth your Dad getting an MOT with the doctor. Good for him to be independent with needs assessed.

Best wishes to both of you.

[Hidden in reply to MEW53]

Great point about lighting up any poorly lit areas MEW53.

[freezingspark in reply to MEW53]

Thanks for replying, I hope you and your sister are ok. I can definitely imagine my dad not turning lights on out of habit in the night so will have a chat about that

[MEW53 in reply to freezingspark]

My sister and I are fine, the paramedics did a good job on the stitches and it was all done in her house.

Lights are so good to keep on, I have time switches all over the house and those little night lights are good cos you get a glimmer all the time at time.

It sounds like you are getting organised on the fall front.

We all think we can do things how we used to do them but as we get a bit older we have to think about our safety much more. Taking your eye off the ball can have such a bad outcome.

Lots of good suggestions regarding falls on this site.😀

[freezingspark in reply to MEW53]

Yeah you're so right, you just take things for granted. Nightlights are a great idea as well :). Glad to hear your sister is doing ok

[sassy59]

Hi freezingspark you’ve had two great replies and I hope they help. I just want to send good wishes to you and your dad. Xxxx

[freezingspark in reply to sassy59]

Thanks!

[Hidden]

A couple of suggestions: Ask your doctor if there is a 'falls club' in your area. This is a short course where people are taught how to avoid the risk of falling. Great fun courses usually run at the hospital or medical centre. Also, get him a 'lifeline' button so if he falls and cannot get up he can press the button for help.

[freezingspark in reply to Hidden]

OH wow, I've never heard of fall clubs but will look into it

[MEW53]

Exhausted wife, good comment about a ‘lifeline’ pendant, I forgot to say in my reply to freezingparks that I wear a pendant all the time, great to know help can come fairly quickly.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi there,

I just want to add my support to fantastic advice that the community have given to you already, so there will be no need for me to repeat what has already been said. Just one of two thoughts to add to this would be to definitely get your father medically assessed, possibly at a movement disorder clinic many of which are available locally, where specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists can assess your dad's needs. Also in occupational therapy visit in his house could assess the risks and hazards that he may have and advise regarding moving safely, exercises and adaptive equipment. I'm also adding in a link to the NHS Choices website which is a mine of useful information on many subjects, including falls and prevention of falls.

NHS Falls Prevention: nhs.uk/conditions/falls/

Do keep us informed of how things are going.

Best wishes to you and your father,

MAS Nurse

[freezingspark in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thanks for your advice

[Artteach10]

My husband now wears a gait belt and I have hold of it as he uses the walker. He does not move unless I am right beside him. This procedure is what we are now trying to prevent fall and he fell last Sat. With his walker while I reached for a shirt. Will face the next step when necessary. NancyXXX

[freezingspark in reply to Artteach10]

Hi Nancy, thanks for replying. I hope your husband is ok and you are doing well too.