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5

Fall Prevention and Recovery

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in elderly populations. This module covers how to make the home environment safer, teach basic balance exercises, and respond correctly when a fall occurs.

4-5 hours CORE - Safety-Critical Safety-Critical Not Started

Learning Objectives

1
Conduct a basic home safety assessment identifying at least 8 fall hazards
2
Recommend and implement at least 5 practical modifications using available resources
3
Teach and supervise 3 basic balance exercises appropriate for elderly clients
4
Describe the correct response when a client falls
5
Demonstrate the floor recovery technique using a sturdy chair
6
Explain the link between medications, dehydration, and fall risk

Educational content only. This training material is for informational purposes. Always follow your employer's specific protocols and consult qualified medical professionals for clinical guidance.

Module 5 Learning Material

Why Falls are So Dangerous

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in people over 65. In elderly people, even a simple fall can result in a broken hip, head injury, or long-term loss of mobility. Prevention is far better than treatment.

Home Safety Assessment

Walk through the entire home and check for these hazards:

  • Loose rugs or mats (remove them or secure with non-slip backing)
  • Poor lighting (especially at night, near the bed and in the bathroom)
  • Cluttered pathways (clear all walking routes)
  • Slippery floors (especially when wet)
  • Unstable furniture that might be used for support
  • Lack of handholds near the bed, toilet, and bathing area
  • Inappropriate footwear (no flip-flops or smooth soles)
  • Uneven ground outside the home
  • Steps without handrails
  • Items stored too high (requiring reaching or climbing)

Balance Exercises

These three exercises require NO equipment and can be done daily near a wall or sturdy furniture for support:

  1. Standing Weight Shifts - Stand with feet hip-width apart. Slowly shift weight to one foot, hold for 10 seconds, then shift to the other. Repeat 10 times.
  2. Supported Single-Leg Stand - Hold the back of a chair. Lift one foot off the ground for 10 seconds. Switch legs. Build up to 30 seconds.
  3. Sit-to-Stand - From a sturdy chair, stand up without using hands if possible. Sit back down slowly. Repeat 10 times.

Always exercise in a "safety corner" - near two walls or sturdy furniture that can be grabbed if balance is lost.

What to Do When Someone Falls

  1. Do NOT rush to lift them. Take a breath.
  2. Ask if they are in pain. Check for obvious injury.
  3. If they have a head injury, neck pain, or hip pain - do NOT move them. Call for medical help.
  4. If they are not injured, use the floor recovery technique with a sturdy chair.
  5. After any fall, record it and report to the medical contact.

Medications, Dehydration, and Falls

Many medications can cause dizziness, especially blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, and pain medications. Dehydration also causes dizziness and confusion. Both increase fall risk significantly.

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Basic First Aid for the Elderly