Home Hazards
This common household item should be removed from walkways because it can cause someone to trip.
What are loose rugs?
As people age, changes in this sense can make it harder to detect obstacles and maintain balance.
What is vision?
What is one age-related risk factor that can increase your risk of falling?
What is being over 60 years old?
After a fall, you should first check the person for these before helping them get up.
What are injuries?
How many hip fracture related falls are there per year?
What are 300,000 hip fracture related falls?
To prevent falls on stairs, these should be securely attached and have adequate lighting.
What are handrails on stairways?
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing up can be caused by a sudden drop in this.
What is blood pressure?
You feel unsteady when walking and sometimes use a cane. What fall risk factor does this describe?
What is gait instability?
If someone falls and may have a serious injury, you should avoid doing this until help arrives.
Moving them
What percent of hip fracture deaths were due to falls in 2019?
What is 89%?
This common household hazard can make it difficult to see obstacles, especially at night, increasing the risk of falls.
What is poor lighting?
A person taking a medication that makes them sleepy should be especially careful when doing this.
What is getting up or walking at night?
You want to improve your ability to move safely and maintain your balance. What type of exercise can help?
What are leg-strengthening and balance exercises?
After a fall, this symptom could indicate a head injury and requires prompt medical attention.
What is confusion?
What percent of people over the age of 65 fall in the United States each year?
What is 25%?
In the bathroom, installing these two safety features can greatly reduce the risk of slipping and falling.
What are grab bars and nonslip mats?
When standing up causes dizziness because blood pressure suddenly drops, this condition is called this.
Orthostatic hypertension
A fall that occurred within this timeframe is considered a risk factor for future falls.
What is the past 12 months?
A patient falls but denies pain and appears uninjured. Before helping them stand, the safest action is to assess for this potentially serious type of injury, particularly if they struck their head or take blood thinners.
What is a head injury/internal bleeding?
What are 3 risk factors for hip fracture?
What are age, gait instability, and having a fall history?