How Carers Can Help Prevent Falls

Falls are a major concern for older adults and those with limited mobility or chronic health conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), falls are the second leading cause of accidental injuries, particularly among elderly individuals.

As a carer, whether you're caring for an older adult, someone recovering from surgery, or someone with a disability, preventing falls is crucial. This blog will explore how carers can prevent falls and the common factors contributing to fall risks.

So why is reducing falls so important?

• Charlotte Donald, Chief Care Office

Main Contributors to the Risk of Falls

Understanding the primary factors that increase the risk of falling is the first step in preventing them. Falls can happen due to a combination of physical, environmental, and behavioural factors. Here are the main contributors:

1. Muscle Weakness and Mobility Issues With age, muscle strength diminishes, especially in the legs. People who suffer from muscle weakness, joint pain, or conditions such as arthritis may experience limited mobility, which increases the risk of tripping or losing balance.

2. Impaired Balance and Coordination Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or even untreated diabetes can lead to poor balance and coordination. Vestibular issues (inner ear problems) also affect balance. Keeping on top of any health concerns can really support reducing the risks they can create.

3. Medications Certain medications, particularly sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure, which significantly increases fall risk.

4. Vision Impairment Vision problems, whether due to cataracts, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration, make it difficult for individuals to navigate their surroundings. Poor vision can cause missteps or make obstacles difficult to spot.

5. Chronic Health Conditions Health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even osteoporosis can weaken the body and increase the likelihood of falls. People with chronic health conditions may also have reduced stamina or balance.

6. Environmental Hazards Cluttered living spaces, poor lighting, slippery floors, or lack of handrails in crucial areas (like bathrooms and staircases) are common environmental risks. Reporting any concerns to the most appropriate person can support to ensure a safe living environment.

7. Inappropriate Footwear and Assistive Devices Wearing ill-fitting shoes, slippers with no grip, or using mobility aids incorrectly can contribute to falls. If someone is using a cane or walker, it’s essential that it is fitted correctly and used properly.

Practical Tips for Carers to Help Prevent Falls

As a carer, there are several proactive measures you can take to reduce the risk of falls for those under your care. These tips cover lifestyle adjustments, environmental modifications, and health management.

1. Ensure you record all observations and vital information during visits Ensuring that you accurately record medical observations and changes in health conditions is vital so that any signs of deterioration or increased risk of falls can be detected. As a Carer at Cera, you will record these digitally and through data analysis and AI you will then be alerted if a client is at great risk of falling so that you can put the necessary measures in place to prevent this. This helps us predict and prevent falls much faster than traditional care records and monitoring procedures.

2. Encourage Regular Exercise Physical activity is one of the best ways to prevent falls. Exercise helps maintain muscle strength, balance, and coordination. Gentle activities such as walking, swimming, or chair exercises can help build muscle and improve balance without causing strain. If mobility is limited, you can assist with gentle stretching exercises or work with a physical therapist for safe, guided exercise routines.

3. Ensure Proper Use of Mobility Aids For individuals who rely on canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, ensuring they are the correct size and used properly is crucial. A poorly fitted mobility aid can do more harm than good. Consider scheduling a review with a healthcare professional to confirm that the assistive devices are appropriate and adjusted to fit the person’s needs.

4. Create a Safe Living Environment

Modify the living space to minimise environmental hazards:

• Clear Clutter: Keep pathways clear of obstacles like rugs, cords, or furniture.
• Keep Frequently Used Items Within Reach: Prevent individuals from overreaching or using unstable furniture to reach items. Things like glasses, walking frames, drinks, keys and remote controls should be easily accessible.
• Create a Safe Environment: These types of changes are typically supported by referrals from an Occupational Therapist or GP. Speak directly with your branch team if you ever have any concerns or questions about a service user's home.
• Install Grab Bars: Place grab bars in bathrooms, particularly near the toilet and in the shower. Ensure stairways have sturdy handrails.
• Improve Lighting: Make sure the home is well-lit, especially in hallways, stairs, and outdoor areas. Use nightlights in the bedroom and bathroom for nighttime visibility.
• Non-Slip Flooring: Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure carpets are securely fastened to the floor.

5. Regular Health Monitoring

• Vision and Hearing Checks: Encourage regular checkups to ensure glasses and hearing aids are updated. Poor vision or hearing can affect balance and spatial awareness.
• Review Medications: Regularly review medications with a healthcare provider to ensure none are increasing fall risks due to side effects like dizziness or drowsiness.
• Monitor Chronic Conditions: Keep a close watch on any ongoing health conditions. Work with healthcare providers to manage conditions that may lead to fatigue or balance issues.

6. Promote Proper Nutrition and Hydration Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining strength and stamina. A well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related falls. Staying hydrated also prevents dizziness and low blood pressure, which can contribute to falls.

8. Supervise and Assist When Necessary Depending on the person’s mobility level, it may be necessary to provide direct supervision during activities such as bathing, dressing, or moving around the house. Carers can offer physical assistance or simply provide a steadying hand when the person is walking or transitioning from one position to another.

Preventing falls requires a combination of lifestyle adjustments, health monitoring, and environmental modifications. As a carer, you play a vital role in creating a safer environment and supporting the health and well-being of those in your care. At Cera we make this easier for you through our AI-powered risk alerts system, allowing you to care better. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can significantly reduce the risk of falls and improve the quality of life for those who depend on you.

Taking these steps not only prevents injury but also enhances confidence and independence for the person you're caring for, allowing them to enjoy a safer, more secure day-to-day life.

Could you make a valuable difference in the lives of people in your community and help support our work to reduce falls, support independence and allow people to live longer, happier lives in their own homes? Find out more about working in care or apply now for care roles in your area.