As the Canadian population ages, injury and death from falls are on the rise.  And a serious head injury, with loss of consciousness, is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. 

Here are few recommendations for proactively preventing falls in your home:

• Talk to your doctor about falls prevention. Have regular vision and hearing tests.
• Take prescription and over-the-counter medications correctly. Keep a medication record and review it regularly with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your medication makes you dizzy or light-headed.
• Install proper lighting throughout your home. Pay special attention to stairs (with a light switch at both ends) and bathrooms. Use night-lights in the hallways, particularly between the bedroom and bathroom.
• Keep your floor and stairs free of clutter. Avoid the use of scatter rugs.
• Be sure to have at least one handrail (preferably two) on all stairways and steps in your home. Ensure handrails are securely attached and in good repair.
• Check that stairs are in good repair and are slip resistant. If any stairs are broken, have them fixed promptly. Add a strip along the edge of each step in a contrasting color to make it easier to see or use reflective anti-skid treads.
• Take the same precautions for outdoor steps. In addition, arrange to have leaves, snow and ice removed on a regular basis. Use salt or sand throughout the winter months.
• Wear proper footwear. Shoes, boots and slippers should provide good support and have good soles. Avoid loose slippers or stocking feet.
• Install grab bars in all bathrooms, by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower. It's a good idea to have two bars in the tub, one on a side wall and one on the back wall. If you need extra support, consider a bath seat or bench so you can have a shower sitting down.
• Use a rubber mat along the full length in your tub, and a non-skid bath mat beside the tub.
• Use walking aids and other safety devices for extra safety. If you use a cane or a walker, check that it is the right height and that the rubber tips are not worn. Install stainless steel prongs (ice picks) on canes for safe walking in the winter.

(Source:  Canada Safety Council - http://canadasafetycouncil.org/home)

Quick Facts about Falling

Compared to the general population, seniors are more likely to suffer serious health consequences from falling.

• It is estimated that 20 to 30 per cent of seniors over the age of 65 will suffer a fall this year.

• Of all injury-related hospitalizations for seniors over the age of 65, falls were the cause 85 per cent of the time.
• More than 95 per cent of all hip fractures in the elderly are due to falls.

(Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, "Seniors Falls in Canada, Second Report" 2014)

Additional Reading

About Your House - Preventing Falls on Stairs

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Be Falls Smart in Your Home

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