On most occasions falls don’t cause serious injury or harm, however, it can lead us to feel worried and hinder our ability to live independently.
There are many ways you can reduce your risk of falling, including making simple changes to your home! But we do recommend speaking to your GP first if you have any concerns about your health and wellbeing.
Top 10 tips for preventing falls in the home
- Remove any clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet.
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
- Stay hydrated. As well as eating well, you should make sure you’re drinking plenty. If you don’t drink enough, it’s likely that you’ll start to feel light-headed which will increase your risk of a fall.
- Use non-slip mats, bathmats and rugs.
- Make sure all rooms, hallways and staircases are well lit.
- Wear suitable footwear, that supports the ankle and foot - and take good care of your feet by trimming your toenails regularly and seeing a GP or podiatrist (foot health professional) about any foot problems.
- Ask for help to do things you're unable to do safely on your own.
- Look after your eyes and ears make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
- Where possible do regular strength and balance exercises (speak to your GP or healthcare professional before starting this).
- Install and use a fall detector, personal alarm, or monitoring service from Carecall.