Injury Prevention Program Preventing Falls

1. Injury Prevention Program Preventing Falls

2. Northwest Washington Indian Health Board • Non-profit organization • Governed by representatives from 5 tribes: Lummi, Nooksack, Upper Skagit, Samish and Swinomish • We have four programs: Environmental Health, Injury Prevention, Healthy Heart and Diabetes Program

3. Northwest Washington Indian Health Board • Injury Prevention Program is funded by the I.H.S. TIPCAP

4. Preventing Falls What YOU can do to Prevent Falls

5. Many falls can be prevented • By making simple changes, YOU can reduce your risk of falling.

6. Things you can do to prevent falls • Engage in a regular exercise program

7. Things you can do to prevent falls • Engage in a regular exercise program

8. Things you can do to prevent Falls • With your doctor, review the medicines you take. • Use a daily medication management system – Medi-set

9. Things you can do to prevent falls • Have your vision checked regularly

10. Things you can do to prevent falls • Make your home free of hazards.

11. Floors: Look at the floor in each room • When you walk through a room do you have to walk around furniture? • Ask someone to move furniture so your path is clear • Do you have throw rugs on the floor? • Remove rugs or use a non-slip backing so rugs won’t slip.

12. Stairs and Steps: Look at the stairs you use, both inside & outside. • Are you missing a light over the stairway? • Are the handrails loose or broken? • Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

13. Bedrooms: Look at all your bedrooms • Is the light near the bed hard to reach? • Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark and or cluttered?

14. Bathrooms: Look at all your bathrooms. • Is the tub or shower floor slippery? • Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or get up from the toilet?

15. Kitchen: Look at your kitchen and eating area. • Are the things you use often on high shelves? • Avoid using ladders and stools.

16. Preventing Falls • Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. • Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. • Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.

17. Preventing falls • Use a walker or cane

18. Preventing Falls • Improve the lighting in your home. Put in brighter bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are bright and cost less to use. • It’s safest to have uniform lighting in a room. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.

19. More Safety Tips • Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone. Dial 911 for emergency. • Use Home medical emergency monitoring – pendants or bracelets

20. Fire Safety – What you should know • If a fire occurred in your home, would your smoke alarm work?

21. Fire Safety – Does everyone know what to do in case of a fire? • Practice Fire Drills at home.

22. Fire Safety - Cooking • Cooking fires are the leading cause of fire injuries & the third leading cause of fire deaths among older adults. • Call 9-1-1. Do Not try to extinguish the fire

23. Fire Safety - Smoking • Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths among people aged 65 and older. • Designate an area to smoke. • use large non-tip ashtrays and soak cigarette butts and ashes before discarding. • Never smoke in bed

24. Fire Safety – Electrical Safety • Don’t overload electrical outlets/circuits

25. Questions?