February 2005 - Tower - Page 2
Notes From the
Bette C. Jones, RN
|
Anne Elder, RN has presented an important
and timely focus on fall prevention on the
Parish Nurse Ministry bulletin board. After
reviewing her excellent presentation, I
decided to do a follow-up article on this
subject.
Do You Have
Unsafe stairs? Broken or worn steps?
- Keep them free of clutter. Make
repairs, if necessary.
Broken or missing railings?
- Repair or install handrails on stairs, if
possible.
Poor lighting?
- Good lighting on stairs can reduce
your chance of falling. Add bright
strips of tape to the edge of each
stair where overhead lighting is
lacking.
- Consider adding night-lights where
overhead lighting is lacking.
- A night-light in the bathroom can also
make night trips easier.
- Always keep a charged flashlight
near your bed for emergencies.
Throw rugs?
- They are a tripping hazard. If you do
not wish to remove them, they should
be fastened with an adhesive, double
stick tape.
Clutter?
- Shoes, electrical cords, and
magazines can be hazardous in
walkways. Always keep walkways
clear.
Regularly used items out of reach?
- Put regularly used items on shelves
within easy reach between hip and
eye level.
- If you must reach overhead, keep a
stool handy.
- A long-handled grasper can be used
to reach objects that are on high
shelves or on the floor.
Spills that go un-wiped?
- Spills on the floor can be dangerous.
It is best to wipe up spills as soon as
they happen.
A slippery bathroom floor, bathtub or shower?
- Always use a non-skid
bathtub/shower mat.
- If you bathe in a shower, consider
installing a non-skid shower chair
and hand-held shower head so you
can sit while bathing.
- Avoid pulling up on the sink to get up
from the toilet or bathtub. Bathroom
sinks are generally not securely
fastened to the wall or floor, and are
not intended to support your weight.
- Install grab bars or handrails in the
shower, on walls around the bathtub,
and alongside the toilet.
Furniture that is difficult to get in and out of?
- Try to sit on furniture with good back
support that you can get into and out
of easily. Firm chairs with armrests
are easier to get out of. Add pillows
to the back of the chair so your
feet can touch the floor.
A phone that is not accessible?
- In case you trip and fall, help is only
a phone call away. Keep emergency
numbers readily available.