Magnolia Physical Therapy_Balance Month

This doesn’t have to involve a complete house remodel. You can make your home safe from falls with just a few basic changes. Senior care experts offer the following advice for preventing falls at home: 9 WAYS TO PREVENT FALLS AT HOME

1. Clean up clutter. The easiest method for preventing falls is to keep your home neat and tidy. Remove all clutter, such as stacks of old newspapers and magazines, especially from hallways and staircases. 2. Repair or remove tripping hazards. Sometimes home fixtures can contribute to falls, which can then lead to back pain and other injuries. Examine every room and hallway, looking for items such as loose carpet, slippery throw rugs, or wood floorboards that stick up. Then repair, remove, or replace those items for more effective fall prevention. 3. Install grab bars and handrails. These safety devices are crucial for going up and down stairs, getting on and off the toilet, and stepping in and out of the bathtub without injuring yourself. Install grab bars by toilets and bathtubs and handrails in stairways and hallways. Have a handyman or family member help with this if necessary. 4. Avoid wearing loose clothing. You want to feel comfortable at home, but baggy clothes can sometimes make you more likely to fall. Opt for better-fitting and properly hemmed clothing that doesn’t bunch up or drag on the ground. 5. Light it right. Inadequate lighting is another major hazard. To create a home that’s more suitable for the elderly, install brighter light bulbs where needed,

8. Live on one level. Even with precautions like guardrails, stairs can present a significant falling hazard. If it’s not possible to live on one level, try to limit the trips you take up and down the stairs. 9. Move more carefully. Many people fall at home by moving too quickly from a sitting to a standing position and vice versa. Pause after going from lying down to sitting and from sitting to standing.

particularly in stairways and narrow hallways. Add night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for better guidance at night. 6. Wear shoes. Socks may be comfortable, but they present a slipping risk. You can also purchase non-slip socks that have grips on the soles of the feet if shoes are too uncomfortable. 7. Make it nonslip. Bathtubs and showers, as well as floors in kitchens, bathrooms, and porches, can become extremely dangerous when wet. To prevent falls on slick surfaces, use nonslip mats.

Come Back In For A Consultation Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your health, a doctor referral is not needed. In the state of Louisiana you can can seek physical therapy early!

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See our physical therapists for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Back and neck pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties

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