Falls Prevention Awareness Day: September 23, First Day of Fall
Author: American Occupational Therapy Association
Published: 2014/09/11 - Updated: 2024/01/05
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Informative
Category Topic: Disability Awareness - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: The American Occupational Therapy Association offers tips for reducing fall risk at home and in the community. Falls and the fear of falling can cause decreased independence and disability. Clutter, inappropriate footwear, poor balance, distractions, and tripping hazards can all contribute to a stumble or fall leading to serious injury and even death.
Introduction
Falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in adults over the age of 65. Every 15 seconds, an older adults is treated in an emergency room for an injury related to a fall.
Main Content
Falls and the fear of falling can cause decreased independence and disability. Clutter, inappropriate footwear, poor balance, distractions, and tripping hazards can all contribute to a stumble or fall leading to serious injury and even death.
"If the home or other environment is not supporting the person's abilities, the occupational therapist can provide an assessment and recommendations to make it safer and encourage participation in meaningful activities," says Karen Smith, OT, CAPS, Practice Associate for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
AOTA offers the following strategies to reduce your risk of falls:
- Get an annual eye exam.
- Add light to dimly lit areas.
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
- Remove or firmly secure throw rugs.
- Add railings and grab bars in trouble areas.
- Identify and eliminate fall hazards in the home.
- Stay active and participate in regular exercise.
- Consult an occupational therapist for an individualized fall risk assessment.
- Consider environmental modifications, assistive technology, or adaptive equipment.
- Install nonslip strips or rubber mats in tubs and showers and in areas that pose a tripping or slipping risk.
- Talk to your physician and pharmacist about how medications can affect balance, strength, vision, and fall risk.
- Arrange furniture so that there is plenty of room to maneuver and to create sturdy balance-catching points throughout the home.
- Keep frequently-used items in easily accessible areas. Create a plan for accessing seasonal items stored in hard-to-reach places.
Sponsored annually by the National Council On Aging Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 23rd seeks to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in the older adult population.
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Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Occupational Therapy Association and published on 2014/09/11, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.