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Preventing Falls in the Elderly
I would try to implement several safety measures in the patient’s living environment to reduce her risk of falling. The first step is the removal of hazards such as exposed electrical cords and slippery carpets, rugs and mats. This measure would eliminate the risk of the patient tripping, slipping or stumbling due to the fall hazards.
Other measures to reduce the risks of slipping and stumbling would include wall-to-wall carpeting. Secondly, I would modify the lighting in the patient’s living environment according to her visual needs. This modification would include the installation of bright lights especially at the top and bottom of stairwells and on passageways.
These measures would prevent the risk of falling due to a missed step on the stairs and fumbling in the darkness between rooms. The other measure would be to reposition the light switches to ensure that the patient can access them with ease when she gets up in the middle of the night (Kris, 2015).
Thirdly, I would change the patient’s shoes to address the risks associated with declining balance, coordination and flexibility. These changes would include non-skid slippers.
Rubber-soled slippers reduce the risk of an individual slipping on a smooth surface because they support enhanced grip. I would also change the patient’s shoes so that she only wears flat shoes with low heels.
Fourthly, I would rearrange the patient’s room by moving the items that she uses frequently to easily accessible locations.
The fifth measure would be the installation of handrails on stairs and grab bars in bathrooms and washrooms and raised toilet seats (National Council of Aging, n.d.).
These modifications would enable the patient to support herself when performing the different activities of daily living including walking, bathing and emptying her bowels.
