A simple fall can change your life. Just ask any of the thousands of older men and women who fall each year and break a bone. Falling is the number one cause of death due to injury for people over 75 years old and the second leading cause of death due to an injury among those 45-75 years old.

Over 80% of fatal slips and falls occurred among seniors, ages 65 or older. Though falls are more devastating to seniors, they can be just as fatal to younger people, regardless of age.

Environmental Risk Reduction

You can help prevent falls by making changes to unsafe areas in your home. Take a look around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with hazards. To make your home safer:

In all living areas

• Make sure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Keep areas where you walk tidy. Maintain carpeting and floorboards.
• Pick up toys or other objects from the floor to clear your path. Keep electric cords and phone wires away from walking paths.
• Arrange furniture so they are not in your walking path.
• Have handrails on both sides of all stairs—from top to bottom—and be sure they're tightly fastened.
• Keep light switches and telephone near your bed.

In bathrooms and powder rooms:

• Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
• Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
• Keep night lights on.
• Don't attempt to place a child in or take them out of the tub by yourself. Once a child is over 20 pounds it becomes dangerous to both of you to attempt this.

When a Fall Occurs

The majority of people do not see their doctor after falling, although doing so is vital to a good recovery and the prevention of future falls. Recovering from a slip-and-fall accident is multi-pronged and may involve physical therapy, exercises, rest and analgesics.

The staff member discovering the fall will attend to the patient's immediate needs:

• A nurse will assess the client immediately. Provide appropriate first aid measures, stop any bleeding, apply ice to bruises, bumps or cuts.
• If there is a suspected broken bone, keep the client still and call for transport to the hospital.
• Notify the attending Physician promptly to determine the need for further evaluation.
• Neurological checks and vital signs as ordered or appropriate for injury.
• The client's family will be notified of any fall, including injuries in a timely manner.
• The fall will be documented in the progress notes.
• The caregiver witnessing a fall or finding a patient after an un-witnessed fall will complete an incident report and send to the Nurse Manager or designee.
• Teaching about falls and safety will be reinforced to client and family as needed.
• Continue to assess client for any unidentified injury and for response to treatments or recovery.

For individuals after a fall or slip injury:

• Make an appointment with your doctor. He will make sure you have not sustained any injuries. The doctor will check your medications and look for any that have dizziness as a side effect. He may recommend an appointment with an ophthalmologist or eye doctor.
• Follow your physician's recommendations. Use hot or cold packs and analgesic medication as directed.
• Keep your appointment with a physical or occupational therapist. These professionals will show you how to do simple exercises to help you heal from any injuries. They also may recommend exercises to improve your balance and teach you how to get up properly if you do fall. Tai chi, walking and strength training may be suggested.
• Use properly fitting adaptive equipment, such as a walker or cane, as recommended by the physical or occupational therapist. Do not borrow this equipment from a friend or family member; it must be fit to your body. The therapist also may suggest sitting on a wedge, lowering your bed and elevating your toilet seat.
• The physical therapist can analyze your home for hazards. He may suggest backing your throw rugs with non-slip grip matting or getting rid of them completely. Other recommendations may include fixing any loose carpet or flooring and keeping clutter picked up off the floor.