Occupational Therapy Home Safety and Falls Prevention Have you or your elderly family member tripped over an object on the floor, slipped in the toilet or fell off the bed at home? If your answer is ‘yes’, what have you done to prevent future incidences of fall? If your answer is ‘no’, are you aware that most falls occur at home? The risk of falls also increases with age. Falls in the elderly may result in muscle sprains, fractures, head injury, permanent disabilities or even death. The physical and psychological trauma associated with a fall may also limit a person’s participation in daily tasks such as dressing, toileting and showering. Common causes of falls at home Physical Factors
Environmental Factors
Impaired vision Poor balance and gait Muscle weakness Join stiffness or pain Dizziness Slow reflexes Decreased cognition leading to poor safety awareness Use of medications that may cause dizziness or confusion
Slippery or uneven floor surfaces Poor lighting or glare Inappropriate footwear Unstable furniture Low seat height Trip hazards, e.g. clutter along walkways, unsecured wire cords, loose rugs or objects lying on the floor
Home safety tips Living Room • Arrange furniture to provide a spacious walkway. •
Remove obstructions and loose items on the floor. Rugs should have a non-slip backing and be securely held down.
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Secure electrical cords and telephone wires and keep them out of walkways.
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Ensure that all walkways are bright and well lit. Light switches should be easy to reach.
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Use chairs of a comfortable height with back supports, arms rests and firm cushions.
Bedroom • Arrange furniture so that lamps/light switches are located close to the bed. •
Remove obstructions and loose items on the floor.
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Use a firm mattress. Your feet should touch the floor when you sit on your bed.
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Keep walking aids near your bed.
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Use night lights next to your bed and between your bedroom and toilet.
Bathroom/toilet • Keep the floor dry. •
Use non-slip floor mats or apply slip-resistant treatment to the floor.
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Install grab bars.
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Install a sitting toilet or use a commode chair instead of a squatting toilet.
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Sit on a chair with arm rests and legs fitted with non-slip rubber tips when bathing.
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Keep shower items and toilet paper within reach.
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Keep the door unlocked in case of emergency.
Kitchen • Arrange commonly used items within easy reach. •
Do not stand on chairs to reach for items high up in a cupboard. Ask for help or use a long handled reacher.
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Clean up spills immediately.
Stairs/kerbs • Install handrails or grab bars on both sides of the stairway or kerb. •
Place coloured strips at the edge of steps to make it easier to see.
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Install light switches at the top and bottom of the stairway.
Resources For home modification consultation, you may contact our Occupational Therapists at: Home Modification Services Occupational Therapy Department Contact: 6602 3105
To browse or purchase assistive devices or equipment, you may contact: ABLE Studio Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Tower B Level 1, Podium (Besides FairPrice Xpress) Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am to 7pm Sat: 9am to 3pm Sun: 10.30am to 3pm Closed on Public Holidays Contact: 6602 2253
For subsidised home safety enhancement installations, you may be interested in the EASE programme: EASE (Enhancement for Active Seniors) Go to www.hdb.gov.sg. Search for ‘EASE’ to access information on the program. Further enquiries can be directed to your Occupational Therapist at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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