The crucial task of fall proofing the home

Nira Rittenberg blogs:

I was pleased to see the topic of seniors and falls so well explored in two recent Globe & Mail stories – “Falling Seniors: preventable problem a huge health burden” (May 30); and “The crucial task of fall proofing the home” (June 1).

I agree that the impact of falls on healthcare costs is significant and worrisome, but that is not what motivates me as a clinician when I work with clients and their families in the community.

As an occupational therapist, I help aging clients to maximize their daily functioning and I make recommendations regarding the safety of older adults in their homes. My professional experience with falls feels a lot more personal. I don’t see statistics, I see the person who has fallen and lost their independence to get out of bed. I see the “sandwich generation” family who is struggling to care for their aging parent between work and getting their kids to school. I monitor clients as they transition from their home to the hospital, and through the rehab process. If these approaches are not successful in helping restore functional independence, a nursing home bed may need to be considered – and this is never an easy topic to discuss with clients and their family.

The emotional, psychological and physical burden of falls for clients and their families is huge. Sadly, these falls are often preventable. I see the important work professionals in healthcare and community agencies do to reduce the risk of falls for frail seniors. I know that my work with clients will help reduce falls and related costs to the health system, but try telling a client or their family about the system impact. For them it is deeply personal – it is about pain and loss of quality of life.

Helping seniors stay safe and independent in their own homes is what motivates me every day in my job. I encourage anyone who has concerns about their relative being at risk of falls to contact their family doctor, an occupational therapist or other healthcare professional to discuss interventions to reduce the risk.

Here’s a quick falls risk checklist that I use as an OT when I visit a senior client for the first time in their home.

• Does the client have eyesight problems?
  
• Has the client had other falls in the past?
  
• Do they have conditions that affect walking or balance?
  
• Trouble getting to the washroom?
  
• Are there loose carpets, unsafe stairways or objects on the floor that pose hazards when walking?
  
• Slippery floors or areas that can’t be easily seen?
  
• Medication issues (over the counter and prescription)?
  
• Footwear that is improper?
  
• Is there a need for assistive devices such as a walker?