Safety Matters: Safegaurd Your Patients & Yourself

​Mitigating the risk of falls and other safety hazards is critical for older adults and caregivers. Without proper training, actions such as moving or transferring elderly patients can present serious risks, including falls and related injuries. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of unintentional, nonfatal, and fatal injuries and the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries for older adults (age 65+).

​Steps You Can Take To Prevent Falls​

One of the first steps in creating a safe home environment is to assess the elderly patient’s living space thoroughly. Begin by identifying common hazards such as:
• loose rugs
• cluttered walkways
• inadequate lighting
Each of these factors poses significant risk factors for trips and falls. Ensure all walking pathways are clear and any rugs are secured to the floor and do not have thick or elevated edges or have been removed. Increasing lighting in dim areas and installing night lights in hallways and bathrooms are essential to enhance visibility and safety.

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