Preventing falls in the home.
Methods To Prevent Accidental Falls In The Home:
Methods of preventing accidental falls in the home can include modifications of exercise routines, medications, and/or diet, treatment of health conditions that contribute to falls, prescribing assistive devices, or improving the patient's living environment.
Medication:
A review of the patient's medication should be performed, noting any potentially harmful side effects (especially side effects resulting from combining multiple medications).   The following is recommended:
Try to eliminate any medications that are not absolutely necessary;
Limit multiple medication use;
Try to decrease chronic use of medications;
Use proper mobility aids (canes, wheelchairs, etc) while taking medication;
Use the lowest possible effective dosage of any medication.
Vision Issues:
Proper treatment of visual disorders can reduce the risk of a fall.  Be sure to treat any vision problems with a proper eye exam and/or corrective lenses.  Take the proper time to adjust to new lenses, and be aware that during this period, a person is more likely to have a dangerous fall.  If only reading glasses are necessary, be sure to remove them when walking about.  
Dietary Considerations:
Proper nutrition and supplements can help prevent falls, as well as reducing potential injury from a fall.  For example, an introduction or increase of calcium and vitamin D in the diet can improve a patient's bone density and mass.  In addition, seniors who are undernourished have a greater risk of fractures due to a lack of fat or muscle to protect the bones during a fall.  Nutritional requirements should be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Exercise Programs:
Proper exercise is essential in preventing falls.  Exercise can increase a patient's reaction time, bone density, balance, and mobility.  Studies have shown that exercise can reduce the risk of a fall by up to 15%.  Even mild aerobic activity such as mall walking, cycling, or stretching can have many beneficial effects.
Assistive Devices:
Assistive living devices such as canes, grab bars, or walkers can increase a patient's mobility and confidence, and decrease the risk of a fall.  We cover these devices in more detail on this page: Independent Living Aids.
Improve The Safety Of The Patient's Living Environment:
Since most falls occur in or immediately outside the patient's home, some modifications may be required to reduce the risk of falls.  Be sure to complete a home safety checklist, and follow through with the recommended improvements.
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Medical Alert Basics

Special Features Of Medical Alert Systems

Guide To Independent Living

Home Safety

Preventing Accidents In The Home