10 Ways to Prevent Falling at Home

Even when there are no significant injuries, a fall can be so terrifying that some people choose to stay away from specific hobbies for fear of another one. And that's reasonable considering the likelihood of falling again.

Some of the most frequent reasons for falls occur at home, where you might feel uneasy because of slick floors, rickety stairs, or exposed electrical cords. Making a home safe is the first step in preventing falls because of this.

It isn't necessary to redesign the entire house. With a few adjustments, you can make your home secure against falls. The following tips provided can help individuals for avoiding falls at home.

Be Active

Fall prevention can be avoided by exercise. Consider engaging in activities like walking, water exercises, or tai chi, a moderate workout that incorporates slow, graceful dance-like motions, with the approval of your healthcare physician. These exercises increase strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, which lowers the chance of falling.

Inform your healthcare professional if you stay away from physical activity out of concern that it will increase your risk of falling. Your healthcare practitioner might suggest physically supervised exercise regimens or send you to a physical therapist. Balance, flexibility, and muscle strength can be improved by an individual exercise program designed by the physical therapist.

Wearing good Shoes

Think about switching up your shoes as part of your fall prevention strategy. You have a high risk of slipping and falling if you wear high heels, loose shoes, or shoes with slick soles. Walking in stocking feet can also be done. Wear flat, well-fitting shoes instead that are stable and have non-skid soles. Practical shoes may also lessen joint pain.

Keep the home Well-lit

Keep your home well-lit to prevent tripping over difficult-to-see objects. Also −

• Put nightlights in the corridors, bathroom, and bedroom.

• If you anticipate needing to get out of bed in the middle of the night, keep a lamp close to your bed.

• For light switches that aren't close to room entrances, make easy pathways. Think about switching out conventional switches for illuminated or glow-in-the-dark ones.

• Before ascending or descending stairs, turn on the lights.

• In case of power outages, keep flashlights in locations that are simple to find.

Installing handrails and grab bars

This safety equipment can be extremely helpful if you have limited mobility so that you can safely climb stairs, use the toilet, and enter and exit the bathtub. The doctor advises placing railings in stairwells and hallways as well as grab bars by toilets and bathtubs. If you need assistance, ask a family member or a handyman.

Do not wear loose clothes

Keep your garments tight. Although you want to be comfortable at home, wearing loose clothing can occasionally increase your risk of falling. Choose clothing that fits better and has properly finished hems so it won't bunch up or drag on the ground.

Moving Carefully

Many people trip and fall when at home when they stand up or sit down too quickly. It is possible to prevent falls by taking your time. Just pause when you move from lying down to sitting and from sitting to standing. When you are going up or down the stairs, take a pause before using handrails.

Living on level one

The risk of falling can be very high when using stairs, even with safety measures like guardrails. Doctors advise us to live on one level, if at all possible. If not, take additional care when navigating stairs. Minimize your excursions up and down the stairs if living on one floor is not an option.

Cleaning up the clutter

The best approach to avoid falls is to have an orderly home. Get rid of all clutter, particularly from stairwells and corridors where there may be piles of outdated newspapers and periodicals. It will also make the home look clean.

Consulting a doctor

In addition to other factors, such as weakness and loss of eyesight or balance, drugs, particularly sedatives or antidepressants, can contribute to falls. In light of this, talking to your doctor about the medications you are taking and any possible adverse effects will be the first step in preventing falls.

In many instances, the doctor will be able to recommend a drug that has a reduced risk of making you fall or that is less likely to interfere with any other medications you are already taking.

Consuming a balanced diet and drinking adequate water

Everything in our lives is impacted by the food we consume. Diets are therefore very vital. Ensure your food contains sufficient nutrients to keep you healthy and balanced.

Even though it might not seem like it, people who consume nutritious meals are stronger and better able to carry out daily tasks.

Dehydration can lead to weariness and dizziness, which increase your risk of falling. In light of this, make sure you're drinking enough water daily, and pay attention to your hydration levels, and how you feel.

Drink more if you feel the need to do so. You'll stay healthier and have a lower chance of falling because of it.

What can a person do when they fall?

Even if you follow all of the aforementioned advice, there is no way to ensure that you won't ever fall. In light of this, the following are some actions you need to do if you do have a fall −

• If you trip or trip, the proper technique to stand up is to lie on your side, bend your top leg, and support yourself on one elbow.

• Call for assistance if you fall and are unable to get up. If you are unable to use a phone, shout out for help or make noise to get bystanders' attention.

• When you fall, you should always visit the doctor. See your healthcare provider even if the fall looked small because problems like fractures might go unnoticed for a long period.

Conclusion

Injuries can be avoided by avoiding falling. To keep you safe in your home, ask your loved ones to help you make sure that your rooms and stairways are clutter-free and well-equipped with lighting, handrails, grab bars, and nonslip mats. If you do fall, call your doctor right away.