A fall can result in hip fractures, cuts as well as serious head and brain injuries.

In some cases, when an outside support is not available to help assess a person’s home for obstacles that can pose risks for falls, it may be up to the individual to modify their home environment.

The following tips can help seniors prevent falls and maintain independence, as more people stay home throughout the pandemic.

Everyday tips

Here are some easy, everyday ways to stay healthy, keep safe, and help prevent falls:

Don’t avoid blood tests or doctor’s appointments:  Avoid falls by keeping up with your health. Going to virtual care appointments with your health-care team, even during the pandemic, is important for maintaining your health. Blood tests or other investigations can help determine if there is anything of concern medically that might increase your risk of falls. Physicians can help explain what has been found on any tests, review your medications and go over next steps.

Wear glasses, hearing aids and use mobility aids within the home: Many people are comfortable at home and remove sensory and gait aids that actually help prevent falls. Don’t let your guard down and be sure to wear your assistive devices inside and around your home. Clearer vision can help individuals be more aware of what’s around them in order to stay safe and avoid a fall. Improved hearing can alert a person to sounds that could pose danger and in turn, help prevent injury. Be sure to use your cane, walker or other mobility aids as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Wear a helpline button or other wearable assistive technology: There are numerous devices that can help detect a fall or alert help quickly with the push of a button or use of your voice, in the event of an emergency.

Stay active: It is important for seniors to maintain strength, coordination and balance. Staying active — through online virtual exercise programs, safely distanced outdoor programs, and/or walking — can help elderly people maintain physical and bone health to prevent falls and related injuries.

Eat a well-balanced diet: Maintaining good nutrition can help an individual stay active and provide energy and strength to assist with fall prevention. Foods that are a source of calcium and vitamin D are helpful for bone health. A well-balanced diet will help avoid vitamins and mineral deficiencies that can increase the risk of falls.

Stay hydrated:  What does drinking water, milk, fruit juice, tea, or coffee have to do with preventing falls? Drinking around eight cups of liquid each day can help prevent headaches and dizziness. Ensuring proper hydration can prevent lightheadedness and dehydration that can lead to falls, especially in the hot summer months.

Stay connected: Have a family member or friend check-in regularly by phone or virtual chat. Not only is it a nice way to keep in touch, it’s a great to have an extra set of eyes and ears to provide additional support.

Home safety tips

Seniors can take simple steps to improve the safety at home, indoors and out!

Wear proper footwear: It is important for individuals to wear sturdy, non-slip and well-fitted shoes to remain steady on their feet. Old slippers and socks can be slippery and pose a fall risk. If shoes are not comfortable, consider wearing socks with no-slip material on the soles of the feet.

Remove or secure carpets: They may be beautiful but pose a significant fall risk. Throw rugs or loose carpet can pose a tripping hazard. Removing these items can help improve safety around the house or secure them to the ground using double sided tape or slip resistant backings.

Install study handrails for stairs: Having a sturdy support for going up and down the stairs is essential. Stairs leading to and from basements or the front of the house are high risk areas for falls so ensure appropriate handrails are installed to provide extra support and prevent against falls.

Install grab bars for the bathroom: Grab bars are helpful in preventing injury while a person is getting on and off a toilet or stepping into or out of the shower. Other ways to help decrease the risk for falling in the bathroom is to use anti-slip mats or nonslip strips in the bathtub or shower, raised toilet seats or one with armrests, and a shower chair with a non-slip seat and sturdy feet.

Reduce clutter and brighten up your home: De-cluttering can help clear items that could be an obstacle or cause a fall. Remove potential fall hazards such as electrical cords or other items from high-traffic areas to provide a clear path around the house and easy movement in and around rooms. Ensure there is proper lighting through the home and install a nightlight or motion-sensor lighting for nighttime visits to the bathroom.

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Summer is often referred to as “trauma season” in the health care world due to the large number of injuries that can potentially happen during summertime activities.

Here are 6 tips to avoid brain injury this summer:

1. Wear a helmet. Always wear a properly fitted helmet when bicycling, motorcycling, or engaging in any recreational or sporting activity that may result in head injury. Although wearing a helmet does not necessarily prevent concussion, it can prevent other types of damage like facial trauma, skull fracture, and will provide an important extra layer of head protection. Protective headgear is especially important for bicycle riders in a big urban city centres like Toronto during the summertime, when accident and brain injury rates often peak. Also, remember to replace your helmet after any serious injury because it’s not as protective as it was before a crash. It’s important to stay safe!

2. Wear a lifejacket. Whether you’re in the ocean, lake or in a pool, wearing safety gear such as a life jacket can prevent serious or potentially life-threatening injury. It can also help prevent devastating head injury. A life jacket is especially important during watersports to ensure that you can keep your head above water if you were to suddenly become unconscious. Make sure the life jacket is well-fitted, worn correctly and well-maintained.

3. Buckle up in the car. Summer road trips can be so much fun. Stay safe on any drive this summer by wearing your seatbelt. Buckling up, can help save lives. It can also help save your brain. Research has shown that belted passengers or drivers sustain fewer and less severe traumatic brain injuries compared to those who are unbelted.

4. Make your home and backyard safe, especially for the young and elderly. Falls are a leading cause of concussion for both the young and the elderly. Ensure that your home and outdoor spaces are well-lit and free of hazards that may lead to a trip and fall, such as loose rugs or scattered toys. To help reduce the risk of head injuries to children, block off stairways with safety gates and install window guards.

5. Know your limitations and be familiar with your surroundings. When hiking, ‘cliff jumping’ or engaging in any high risk sports or motor activities in the summertime, make sure you are aware of the terrain you are about to encounter. For instance, knowing the depth or water prior to diving is critical to prevent concussion or other injuries. Always ensure that a loved one knows exactly where you are and how to find you. Concussion can occur quickly and acute confusion can make it difficult to let others know you are in need of help. Stay safe!

6. Know the signs and symptoms of concussion. Unlike a fracture or strain, the symptoms of concussion can be subtle. Know the symptoms so that you can recognize and seek help for yourself, a friend or a loved one immediately to prevent further complications.

Some common symptoms of concussion include: headache, blurred or double vision, forgetfulness, poor memory or feeling “in a fog” or “dazed.”

Learn more about common causes and symptoms of concussions to help you and your family prevent brain injury and stay safe this summer.

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