When it comes to unintentional injury and death, falls are a leading cause in older Australians. In fact, 1 in 3 Australians over the age of 65 will experience a fall in the next 12 months. This is quite an alarming statistic when considering how dangerous falls can be for older people, with 1 in 5 accidents resulting in hospitalisation.
Falls may happen due to gradual changes in our bodies that make walking difficult, such as weaker muscles, poorer eyesight or slower reaction times. Falls are of particular concern when they cause serious issues like hip fractures or other injuries that require long term hospital care and ongoing effects.
This is why fall prevention strategies should be the first line of defence against these kinds of accidents in aged care, aiming to minimise the risk to patients and avoid serious injury that can severely affect their health and wellbeing in the long run. Here are four fall prevention strategies to help maximise the safety of people in aged care.
Chair and bed sensor pads
While the majority of older people can move around by themselves without an issue, some seniors are at serious risk of falling if they walk around unattended. Most aged care facilities, however, do not have the resources to physically watch every patient day and night. Thus, for the most at-risk patients, it might be recommended to use a bed or chair alarm and sensor.
CareWatch Alarm and Sensor Pads are ideal for patients who are at high risk of suffering a fall if they move around by themselves. The primary aim is to warn the nurse if the patient gets up and starts moving around when they are alone. The alarm works by being placed under the patient when they are resting. If the patient gets up the sensor activates and the nurse is called via an alarm.
The CareWatch Alarm and Sensor Pad is a high quality, tamperproof solution, made to be waterproof and incontinent resistant to help monitor patients when a nurse can’t be present in the room with them.
Fall mat with alarm sensor
Fall mats serve a similar function to chair and bed sensor pads. They are placed next to the bed to help reduce the risk of patients falling unattended if they get out of bed in the middle of the night.
The MoveAlert Crash/Fall Mat with Alarm Sensor is made with high-density foam to help absorb the impact of an elderly patient falling out of bed. While protecting the patient the sensor also alerts nearby nurses if the patient has stepped out of bed or fallen down onto the mat, allowing them to quickly react and help the patient if required.
Slip-resistant floorings
Patients with reduced strength and balance may find it difficult to maneuver slippery or smooth surfaces, particularly if they become wet. One of the easiest ways to improve the safety of floors is to introduce slip-resistant coverings. This provides patients with the surface friction they need to safely walk around in the bathroom, kitchen or anywhere with a smooth surface, reducing the chance of accidental falls and injuries.
Exercise programs
Any good fall prevention strategy should include some form of physical exercise. A well-designed exercise program can help strengthen the body, improve balance and enhance coordination, which are key factors for reducing the chance of accidents. Any exercise program, however, should be recommended by an experienced health care provider, as the wrong regime can cause injuries to worsen and pain to increase in affected patients.
FAQs
Falls often occur due to reduced balance, muscle weakness, poor vision, medication side effects, and environmental hazards such as clutter or poor lighting
Facilities can complete regular fall-risk assessments, use non-slip flooring, improve lighting, provide mobility aids, and use bed or chair alarms for residents needing additional supervision.
Fall-prevention equipment includes bed alarms, chair alarms, fall mats, grab rails, mobility walkers, and bathroom aids like shower chairs and over-toilet frames.
Every patient is different and the fall prevention protocol of each facility may differ too. Generally, assessments should be completed on admission, after any fall, and every 3–6 months depending on care needs.
Removing trip hazards, adding lighting, ensuring clear walkways, and installing grab rails significantly reduces fall risk.