Internal Safety Factors
This, in your legs, is the most common cause of a fall
What is weakness? Walking and other physical activities that you enjoy like gardening can help safely condition your endurance.
Loose carpets or these on the floors can be dangerous.
What are throw rugs? Clearing a pathway for walking is essential!
Occupational therapists can help you prevent this from happening.
What are falls? OTs can help you alter many factors in your home and lifestyle to lessen the risk of falls.
Although good for sitting, this is not something one should stand on to reach items up high.
What is a chair? You could also use a reacher for some items.
Place, Plan and Prioritize are the tree P's of this.
What is energy conservation? The 3 P's are
Pace
Plan
Prioritize
Fear of this can actually increase your fall risk.
What is fear of falling? Fear of falling can lead to reduced involvement in activities which can increase lower extremity weakness and decrease endurance.
Light reflecting off a window or shiny surface can cause this.
What is lighting glare? Lighting glare can distort things and hide items that you would usually know are right there.
OTs review this environment for tripping and falling hazards, and make sure it is safe for you to cook, bathe, sleep and relax.
What is OTs review the home environment for hazards?
Although useful, this kind of bar or rack should never be used to hold onto.
What are towel bars? An OT can recommend railings in locations that are appropriate for you as well as non slip strips or rubber mats in the bathroom.
A good way to help you to have enough energy to complete an activity is to take your time, or this.
What is pacing yourself? You can break an activity into smaller parts and have some parts ready from the night before like preparing a meal in a slow cooker to wake up to.
Side effects of these can increase your fall risk. Don't mix them with alcohol!
What is the side effects of medications? It is important to know the side effects of medications and manage any symptoms by letting your primary care physician and occupational therapist know.
Although cute and cuddly, these loyal creatures can also be a fall hazard.
What are household pets? Be aware of when your pet is in the room and walk slowly to avoid tripping over your pet.
OTs evaluate the individual for limitations that contribute to this kind of tumble?
What are falls? If a client is showing any of the intrinsic factors like fear of falling, an OT can help address that.
This kind of illumination can help you when walking to the bathroom in the dark.
What is a nightlight? Being able to see your environment when you need to get up in the middle of the night can help prevent falls.
Developing this will help you accomplish all of the activities you do on a daily or weekly basis.
What is a plan? Planning can mean collecting all of the items you need before a task like cleaning. Planning can incorporate the use of AE which an OT can recommend to you. Ask for help with activities that make you fatigued.
Impaired or lack of this can increase fall risks. Hold on!
What is impaired balance? It is important to engage in light exercise that improves balance and to use any DME while walking that has been prescribed to you.
This is when you have too many things laying around your house.
What is a house full of clutter? Decluttering and ensuring a clear walkway is essential!
To lessen their risk of falls , Occupational therapists train clients and these people who help them.
What are families? Training the client's family or caregivers helps keep the client accountable and lessen the risk of falls.
Be sure to clean up any of these on the floor caused by water or food.
What are spills? Even a small amount of liquid can cause a fall.
Deciding which tasks are the most important to get done to help conserve energy is doing this.
What is being able to prioritize? Some things need to get done, and some things can wait. Ask yourself:
What do I need to do today? What do I want to do?
What can be put off until another day?
What can I ask someone else to do for me?
Impairment to your five these are intrinsic factor for fall risks.
What are your 5 sense/sensory impairment? It is important to be aware of your surroundings and wear non-slip shoes whenever possible.
Unstable or non existent these when walking up/ down stairs can be an extrinsic factor for fall risks.
What are unstable or non existent handrails? Fell for the sturdiness of a handrail before applying your weight onto it. Have handrails applied at home if you don't have one especially by stairs.
Occupational therapists help prevent falls by working in nursing homes, assisted living, and these kinds of centers.
What are senior centers? Share what you've learned today with your family and friends to help them prevent falls as well.
Being this will maintain strength, endurance and balance, making a fall much less likely.
What is stay active? Keep engaging in meaningful activities as appropriate and engage in light exercise like walking.
Don't hold your breath during any task.
Avoid pulling, lifting, bending, reach, twisting when possible.
Push or slide heavy items rather than lifting them when possible.
Bend with knees not at your waist.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
ALL OF THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT KIND OF TIPS?
What are top energy conserving tips?
Don't hold your breath during any task.
Avoid pulling, lifting, bending, reach, twisting when possible.
Push or slide heavy items rather than lifting them when possible.
Bend with knees not at your waist.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.