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3. Action Steps / Preventative measures:
Caregivers should be aware of fall prevention practices that reduce the risk of injuries related to trip and fall hazards. Bathrooms pose the highest risk of injury relating to falls second only to stairwells. (See S.A.F.E.® Practice Tips -Bathroom Safety for additional information)

Understanding the causative factors associated with trip and fall hazards can assist the caregiver with creating a safer home environment. When it comes to reducing personal injuries in the home the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of gold" certainly applies. Some simple rules to follow to reduce unnecessary trip and fall hazards include the following:

• Be sure the person you are caring for is wearing well fitted shoes. Special precautions should be taken regarding the use of loose fitting slippers or walking around in socks.
• All spills should be cleaned up immediately especially in areas that have wooden or tile flooring.
• Visual glare should be controlled by evenly distributing light sources throughout the house so the person has full view of where they are going.
• Stairwells should be well lit and kept free of any objects. Be sure that all hand railings are secured tightly.
• Use night-lights to illuminate all pathways during the night. Leaving a bathroom light on is also a good practice to consider.
• Low-lying objects throughout the house should be removed from pathways.
• Make sure all floor surfaces are even and remove any areas that have loose tiles or cracks.
• Avoid using floor and wall patterns that have distracting and difficult patterns to follow.
• Electrical and extension cords as well as telephone lines should be kept away from traffic paths.
• Throw rugs and runners should be secured to prevent moving. Remember to replace worn adhesive strips periodically.
• Hand railings should be placed throughout the home, especially in the bathrooms and along stairways, and securely mounted.

Visual difficulty as a result of poor lighting and glare is often responsible for a number of falls. An easy solution to this problem is to use nonfluorescent lighting throughout the house. This type of lighting produces less glare and therefore allows enhanced illumination for people susceptible to glare related problems.

4. References / Resources:
Caregivers should attempt to eliminate causative or contributing factors associated with falls whenever possible. This may often require nothing more then correcting household areas that need straightening up or repair.

Persons exhibiting acute onsets of balance and instability are likely to have some type of physiological or underlining cause associated with this change. You may need to seek professional help to further assess and determine the relevant cause(s).

Categorically, the likely causes of your loved one's unsteadiness will be associated with the following possibilities: · Disease Related - Parkinson's, Alzheimer's · Medically Related (Physical & Neurological) · Nutritional · Visual Impairment (Lighting,Glare,Cataracts) · Medication Related (Side Effects, High Blood Pressure) · Environmentally Related (Stairways, carpet patterns) · Podiatric (Footwear or Gait)

5. About Our Company:
Life@Home, Inc. is a provider of safety, security and convenience solutions for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The focus of Life@Home is to aid seniors and the disabled in gaining back and or retaining their independence by creating a safer living environment. Our primary objective is to provide the necessary resources for people who wish to maintain their presence in a home like atmosphere. We focus on three areas of concern: safety, security, and convenience. Our services and products offer a more economic solution for those who desire to remain at home.

Our Life@Home representatives can assist you in making an evaluation of the most common areas in your home that pose the greatest likelihood of injury to yourself or your loved one.

Making your home safer today will keep you accident-free tomorrow. Call on us to find out how.

Life@Home staff writer

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