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By Danny Cain 

1. Reducing the Risk:
Caregivers are faced with many challenges in caring for someone that is physically disabled or cognitively impaired from the likes of Alzheimer's disease. While the areas of responsibility can sometimes be overwhelming, maintaining a safe living environment is a critical role that must not be compromised. This requires an ongoing vigilance on the part of the caregiver to identify potential areas of danger and to take the necessary corrective actions.

Of the many household injuries that occur a high percentage of them result from unexpected trips and falls. Injuries resulting from these accidents often dramatically effect the impaired person's physical and mental condition. In addition, the caregiver may be required to exert more of their time and energy caring for this person during the recovery period. For many caregivers this can be problematic especially if they have limited resources. Safety awareness and prevention are the keys to reducing these risks.

2. Warning Signs - What To Look For:
Many changes associated with the aging process or the progression of a disability or disease place the person at risk for injuries related to trips and falls. The person may be unsteady on their feet as well as have difficulty maintaining their balance.

There are numerous causative factors associated with instability and an unsteady gait (walk). The various causes range from the use of certain medications, physical disabilities, visual problems (cataracts) and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Other risk factors that increase the potential for falls include:

• History of Falls
• Improper footwear
• Persistent or Acute Confusion & Disorientation
• Orthopedic disorders and associated devices which may restrict movement or balance such as splints, casts, prosthesis, etc.
• High blood pressure or medications that have a potential for causing elevated blood pressure.

A person who has a history of poor balance and is unstable has an increased likelihood of a fall when they attempt to upright themselves from a sitting or lying position too quickly.

Complicating matters, the person may be visually impaired or have difficulty making sound decisions. Poor judgment can increase the risk of injury as the person may put himself or herself in uncompromising situations. Attempting to navigate around heavily furnished or cluttered rooms or maneuvering up or down stairs when one is unsteady on their feet is an accident waiting to happen.

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