Preventing Falls after a Stroke
Posted by
Ela Lewis on Mon, Sep 12, 2011 @ 01:42 PM
You have graduated from your inpatient rehabilitation and have returned home or to an assisted living setting where your schedule is under your control again. You are looking forward to returning to your favorite chair and sleeping in your own bed. If you are at this point, as a physical therapist, I have done my job. You are independent or need just a little assistance with basic activities and if you keep challenging yourself to get better you will continue to see progress. One of the most important things that you, your friends and family members can do to help you continue to make gains is to help you set up your environment so you can decrease the risk of having a fall.
Research has shown that after a stroke an individual’s risk for falls increases. It is important that you and those you live with take measures to help prevent falls. Falls can lead to injuries. A few of the most common injuries, head trauma and hip fractures, can leave you with a major set back in your recovery.
The simple tips below can help you prevent falls once you return home.
Have a way to call for help:
• Technology has progressed greatly in the last decade and one of the
areas of booming growth is in the home monitoring arena, for companies like Honeywell and Bosch these products have become core to their business. If you live alone or if your spouse or loved one works, you may want to invest in a wearable alarm device or other type of tele-health monitoring system
Talk to your Physician:
• Review you medications with your MD. Make sure to discuss the side effects.
• Make sure to have regular MD appointments
• Eat and drink regularly so you will not experience dehydration or low blood sugar that could lead to falls. Speak to your physician or a dietician about a healthy diet plan
Learn ways to keep your balance
• Stay active after you return home. Do the exercises that your care providers gave you at discharge and keep moving throughout the day. Doing activities from wheelchair level count too and can keep you active and healthy. Continuing to exercise will help improve your strength and muscle tone which are important contributors to a decreased fall risk.
• Practicing task specific activities are important at improving balance. If you want to get better at walking, practice walking. If you want to improve the ability to reach something on a high shelf practice reaching while shifting your weight on your toes. Make sure to clear these activities with your treating therapist.
Dress for the occasion:
• Wear comfortable footwear with supportive arches and enough room in the toe box. Make sure shoes laces are not an issue. Try Velcro closures or elastic shoelaces.
• If you use a walker or cane, make sure it is fitted to you. Put rubber tips on it.
• Make sure you can move easily in your clothing
Redecorate for Safety:
• Remove or fix things you could trip over, such as raised doorway thresholds, throw rugs, or loose carpet.
• Keep paths clear of electrical cords and clutter.
• Use nonskid floor wax, and wipe up spills right away.
• Keep your house well lit. Use night-lights (or keep the overhead light on at night) in hallways and bathrooms.
• Put sturdy handrails on stairways. Make sure you have a light at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Store things on lower shelves so you don't have to climb or reach high.
• Keep a phone and a flashlight by your bed. Check the flashlight batteries often to make sure they still work.
Make bathing an enjoyable and safe activity:
• Use a shower or tub seat so you can easily bathe without worrying about slipping
• Think about slip proofing the bottom of the shower or tub
• Use a certified ADA contractor to install grab bars if you need them
Resources for this post:
1) Ramnemark A, Nilsson M, Borssen B, Gustafson Y. Stroke, a major and increasing risk factor for femoral neck fracture. Stroke. 2000;31(7):1572–77. [PMID: 10884456]
2) Ramnemark A, Nyberg L, Borssen B, Olsson T, Gustafson Y. Fractures after stroke. Osteoporos Int. 1998; 8(1):92–95. [PMID: 9692083]
3) Web MD: www.webmd.org
4) American Physical Therapy Association : www.apta.org
5) American Occupational Therapy Association: www.aota.org
6) National Stroke Association: www.nsa.org