Helpful hints on how to
avoid slips, trips and falls
226Jun10
For advice on adult social care please contact Luton Borough Council’s Referral Management Team on 01582 54 76 59 or write to them at this address:
Referral Management Team (Adults), Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ
A wide range of information leaflets is available from the Customer Service Centre at Luton Town Hall
or visit www.luton.gov.uk/leafletsonline 01582 54 76 59 Minicom 01582 54 76 62
If you need this in large print, on tape or in
Polski
%
Introduction
As we get older and less steady on our feet, there is an increased risk that we may injure ourselves by falling. Maintaining your health and well being makes a big difference to your quality of life, whatever your age.
Luton Borough Council wants to help anyone at risk of a fall, or who cares for someone who is at risk, to be aware of the hazards that exist around the home and beyond.
Thirty per cent of people aged 65 or over are likely to fall at least once a year and this rises to approximately fifty per cent for those aged 80 and above. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interests to make sure the older people in our community are kept safe and healthy.
The purpose of the leaflet is to provide some helpful advice on how to keep the risks of slipping, tripping or falling over, to an absolute minimum.
And finally
Small adjustments to everyday life do not mean you have to limit your activities; it could give you greater freedom and confidence!
Useful contact numbers
Slips, Trips and Falls Awareness Training 01582 49 00 33
Luton Telelink Centre 01582 48 31 08
Age Concern Luton (Falls Prevention Scheme)
01582 45 68 12 Disability Resource Centre 01582 47 09 00
Sight Concern 01582 65 55 54
National Osteoporosis Society 0845 450 0230 Community Assessment and Rehabilitation Team
Managing medicines
It is important to take the medication that your GP has
prescribed for you; however, some medicines can make you feel unsteady or drowsy. If this happens, let your doctor know as the dosage may need to change. If you take medication regularly, visit your doctor and have it regularly reviewed.
Safe footwear
Is your footwear suitable?
There is plenty to consider when choosing shoes. They shouldn’t be too heavy – they should be light and supportive. Make sure your feet do not slide around in your shoes. You should also have about one centimetre (or half an inch) in the front of your shoes for movement.
Laces should be tied firmly. If you find it difficult to tie the laces on your shoes, try to buy footwear fastened with Velcro.
When looking for slippers, they should be seam free and have soft uppers as these are more comfortable.
Assistive Technology
Throughout your home there may be ways new technology can help you. Luton Telelink Care Service provides a home safety and personal security system that allows people to live independently in their own home.
This is achieved through a 24 hour telephone link to the Telelink Care Centre.
The range of Telecare sensors available includes:
l Personal trigger alarm (pendant)
l Bogus caller button
l Smoke detector
l Fall detector
l Flood detector
l PIR (movement detector)
Do your shoes grip the floor?
Try to buy non-slip soled shoes. You should try to avoid smooth soles that don’t offer any surface grip. Cheaper synthetic patterned soles are better than smooth leather ones in giving you a better level of grip to floor surfaces.
Try to avoid soft soled shoes as they can affect your balance. And remember that flexible shoes will travel better than hard soles on uneven ground.
Other useful footwear advice:
l Avoid walking barefoot or in sock/tights on slippery floors. l Avoid wearing long clothes that fall on the floor, that could
get tangled with your legs/feet.
l Replace worn shoes and slippers.
l Keep the soles of your shoes clean as this will help keep
the grip they give.
If you do have a fall you might initially be in shock. Try not to panic and don’t get up straight away – take your time.
Call for help – use your care alarm or pull cord if you have one, or try to get to a telephone. If necessary bang on a wall or floor, or shout.
If possible, and if you are unhurt, keep moving to relieve pressure and stiffness this helps circulation. Do not move if you feel pain.
It is important to keep warm. Try to move to a carpeted area if you have fallen on a hard floor. Keep heat in by using clothing, a cushion or tablecloth and cover your legs and feet first.
If you have already had a fall
Don’t worry about asking for help or people thinking you are frail and not looking after yourself properly. Remember, falls prevention is all about enabling you to live as independent and enjoyable life as possible. Falls can happen to anyone but you can take positive measures to reduce the risk of it happening to you.
Walking aids
l If you use a walking
stick, you should hold it in the opposite hand to your damaged leg if possible.
l If the rubber tips of your
walking aid (the ferrules) are worn out, they
should be replaced.
l If you use a frame,
either wheeled or
walking, does it wobble or stand square? Are the wheels uneven? If
either of these is the case, you should have your frame corrected.
If you have any concerns over using your walking aid, you can contact your doctor for advice and information or contact the Council’s Referral Management Team (see contact details on back page) who can organise a visit by a physiotherapist through the Community Assessment and Rehabilitation Team.
Getting out of bed You should take your time and do it in stages. Tense your arm and leg muscles a few times before moving to increase circulations and help avoid dizziness. Finally, sit on the bed for a minute before standing up.
In the garden
Watch out for uneven paths and slippery surfaces. You could also consider handrails or posts to steady you, especially near to steps.
House and home
The majority of falls happen in the home, so it is important to check for potential hazards.
Does furniture need to be rearranged?
Try to clear cluttered rooms and walkways, rearrange your kitchen so more frequently used items are within easy reach, and use kitchen work surfaces to move things from one place to another. A trolley may also be beneficial if you need to move things from one room to another. Is your furniture too
low?
An Occupational Therapist can help you raise the height of your chair so that it is easier for you to stand safely – call 01582 54 76 59 or 01582 70 90 67.
The dangers of loose wires and cables
Trailing telephone or electrical cables are a potential risk. You can tidy them with clips or tuck them behind furniture so there is less risk of falling over them.
Safety on the stairs
You should check for fraying or badly fitted carpets, and make sure your stairs are free from any clutter. A good idea is to have a walking aid at the top and bottom of the stairs, so you do not need to carry one while climbing them.
Ensure there is good lighting when you move around If you need to get up when it is dark, make sure your path is well lit (especially the stairs) and switch a light on.
Bathroom safety
The bathroom is a high risk environment where slips and falls may occur due to wet and slippery surfaces. If you do not have them, consider using non-slip mats in your bath. You should also arrange things you need close to the bath or shower. Toilet seats can be raised and rails can be fitted; however you must make sure equipment is fitted properly.
House and home
The majority of falls happen in the home, so it is important to check for potential hazards.
Does furniture need to be rearranged?
Try to clear cluttered rooms and walkways, rearrange your kitchen so more frequently used items are within easy reach, and use kitchen work surfaces to move things from one place to another. A trolley may also be beneficial if you need to move things from one room to another. Is your furniture too
low?
An Occupational Therapist can help you raise the height of your chair so that it is easier for you to stand safely – call 01582 54 76 59 or 01582 70 90 67.
The dangers of loose wires and cables
Trailing telephone or electrical cables are a potential risk. You can tidy them with clips or tuck them behind furniture so there is less risk of falling over them.
Safety on the stairs
You should check for fraying or badly fitted carpets, and make sure your stairs are free from any clutter. A good idea is to have a walking aid at the top and bottom of the stairs, so you do not need to carry one while climbing them.
Ensure there is good lighting when you move around If you need to get up when it is dark, make sure your path is well lit (especially the stairs) and switch a light on.
Bathroom safety
The bathroom is a high risk environment where slips and falls may occur due to wet and slippery surfaces. If you do not have them, consider using non-slip mats in your bath. You should also arrange things you need close to the bath or shower. Toilet seats can be raised and rails can
Walking aids
l If you use a walking
stick, you should hold it in the opposite hand to your damaged leg if possible.
l If the rubber tips of your
walking aid (the ferrules) are worn out, they
should be replaced.
l If you use a frame,
either wheeled or
walking, does it wobble or stand square? Are the wheels uneven? If
either of these is the case, you should have your frame corrected.
If you have any concerns over using your walking aid, you can contact your doctor for advice and information or contact the Council’s Referral Management Team (see contact details on back page) who can organise a visit by a physiotherapist through the Community Assessment and Rehabilitation Team.
Getting out of bed You should take your time and do it in stages. Tense your arm and leg muscles a few times before moving to increase circulations and help avoid dizziness. Finally, sit on the bed for a minute before standing up.
In the garden
Watch out for uneven paths and slippery surfaces. You could also consider handrails or posts to steady you, especially near to steps.
Do your shoes grip the floor?
Try to buy non-slip soled shoes. You should try to avoid smooth soles that don’t offer any surface grip. Cheaper synthetic patterned soles are better than smooth leather ones in giving you a better level of grip to floor surfaces.
Try to avoid soft soled shoes as they can affect your balance. And remember that flexible shoes will travel better than hard soles on uneven ground.
Other useful footwear advice:
l Avoid walking barefoot or in sock/tights on slippery floors. l Avoid wearing long clothes that fall on the floor, that could
get tangled with your legs/feet.
l Replace worn shoes and slippers.
l Keep the soles of your shoes clean as this will help keep
the grip they give.
If you do have a fall you might initially be in shock. Try not to panic and don’t get up straight away – take your time.
Call for help – use your care alarm or pull cord if you have one, or try to get to a telephone. If necessary bang on a wall or floor, or shout.
If possible, and if you are unhurt, keep moving to relieve pressure and stiffness this helps circulation. Do not move if you feel pain.
It is important to keep warm. Try to move to a carpeted area if you have fallen on a hard floor. Keep heat in by using clothing, a cushion or tablecloth and cover your legs and feet first.
If you have already had a fall
Don’t worry about asking for help or people thinking you are frail and not looking after yourself properly. Remember, falls prevention is all about enabling you to live as independent and enjoyable life as possible. Falls can happen to anyone but you can take positive measures to reduce the risk of it happening to you.
Managing medicines
It is important to take the medication that your GP has
prescribed for you; however, some medicines can make you feel unsteady or drowsy. If this happens, let your doctor know as the dosage may need to change. If you take medication regularly, visit your doctor and have it regularly reviewed.
Safe footwear
Is your footwear suitable?
There is plenty to consider when choosing shoes. They shouldn’t be too heavy – they should be light and supportive. Make sure your feet do not slide around in your shoes. You should also have about one centimetre (or half an inch) in the front of your shoes for movement.
Laces should be tied firmly. If you find it difficult to tie the laces on your shoes, try to buy footwear fastened with Velcro.
When looking for slippers, they should be seam free and have soft uppers as these are more comfortable.
Assistive Technology
Throughout your home there may be ways new technology can help you. Luton Telelink Care Service provides a home safety and personal security system that allows people to live independently in their own home.
This is achieved through a 24 hour telephone link to the Telelink Care Centre.
The range of Telecare sensors available includes:
l Personal trigger alarm (pendant)
l Bogus caller button
l Smoke detector
l Fall detector
l Flood detector
l PIR (movement detector)
Introduction
As we get older and less steady on our feet, there is an increased risk that we may injure ourselves by falling. Maintaining your health and well being makes a big difference to your quality of life, whatever your age.
Luton Borough Council wants to help anyone at risk of a fall, or who cares for someone who is at risk, to be aware of the hazards that exist around the home and beyond.
Thirty per cent of people aged 65 or over are likely to fall at least once a year and this rises to approximately fifty per cent for those aged 80 and above. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interests to make sure the older people in our community are kept safe and healthy.
The purpose of the leaflet is to provide some helpful advice
And finally
Small adjustments to everyday life do not mean you have to limit your activities; it could give you greater freedom and confidence!
Useful contact numbers
Slips, Trips and Falls Awareness Training 01582 49 00 33
Luton Telelink Centre 01582 48 31 08
Age Concern Luton (Falls Prevention Scheme)
01582 45 68 12 Disability Resource Centre 01582 47 09 00
Sight Concern 01582 65 55 54
National Osteoporosis Society 0845 450 0230 Community Assessment and Rehabilitation Team
Helpful hints on how to
avoid slips, trips and falls
226Jun10
For advice on adult social care please contact Luton Borough Council’s Referral Management Team on 01582 54 76 59 or write to them at this address:
Referral Management Team (Adults), Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ
A wide range of information leaflets is available from the Customer Service Centre at Luton Town Hall
or visit www.luton.gov.uk/leafletsonline 01582 54 76 59 Minicom 01582 54 76 62
If you need this in large print, on tape or in
Polski
