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Physical Therapy can Reduce Your Chances of a Fall!

Research has shown that fall prevention in the elderly can be supported through the use of physical therapy.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors over the age of 65, with statistics indicating that one in four Americans in this age group are affected every year.

Falls, which at the very least temporarily stop seniors from remaining as active as they need to be, result in over 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments every year.

These are just a few statistics representing the “bad news”. The “good news” is that many falls are preventable. Following is a checklist you may use to fix hazards in your home and thus decrease your risk of falling.

Floors

Check floors in every room
Move furniture so that your path is clear
Tape or coil cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them
Don’t use extension cords. Have an electrician put in another outlet
Remove saddles or flatten uneven surfaces between rooms

Stairs and Steps

Check the stairs both inside and outside of your home
Keep the stairs free of all clutter
Fix broken and uneven steps
Have handrails put in all of your staircases. Make sure the handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs
If you have carpeting, make sure it is firmly attached to each step. Alternatively, remove the carpeting and attach non-slip rubber treads on the stairs
Put lights in all of your staircases. If needed, have an electrician put a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs

Bathrooms & Kitchens

These can be dangerous places. Be extra careful
Beware of water on the floor and clean up all spills as soon as they occur

Bedrooms

Check all of your bedrooms
Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach
Put a night-light so you can see where you are walking. Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark

General Safety Tips

Wear sturdy shoes with thin, non-slip soles. Avoid slippers and shoes with no backs
Improve the lighting in your home. Use brighter light bulbs (at least 60 watts). Use lampshades or frosted bulbs to reduce glare
Be careful around pets
Keep emergency numbers in large print near the phone or have them programmed into your speed dial
Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and cannot get up
Think about wearing an alarm device that will help in case you fall and cannot get up

Staying Healthy

Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falls
Have your doctor Look at all of the medicine you take, even over-the-counter medication. Some medicine can make you sleepy or dizzy or blur your vision which can lead to a fall.

In addition to using the household checklist provided, if you would like a fall risk assessment performed by a Physical or Occupational Therapist in your home then don’t hesitate to contact us.

Reddy Care Physical Therapy Great Neck: 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Physical Therapy Farmingdale: 516-420-2900
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy: 516-829-0030

Author

Dr. Stephanie Idjadi, DPT, CAFS, FMT Dr. Stephanie Idjadi, DPT received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology. She has done research in Parkinson's and was published in the International Journal of Health Sciences. Stephanie began her career at Reddy-Care Physical Therapy nine years ago as a physical therapy aide while also working on marketing, recruiting, human resources and many other administrative activities. After graduating in 2015 Stephanie started her career with us as a physical therapist. As the clinical director of our Great Neck clinic, she supports a team of 9 therapists. In her role, she ensures that clinical care is delivered to the highest standards so that patients can achieve their goals.

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