best foot forward' - falls safety booklet
TRANSCRIPT
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‘Best Foot Forward’
Creating a safe home environment to reduce the risk of falls in people
with an intellectual disability
www.happybones.ie
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Some Practical Advice - Environment
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General Access• All public entry and exit areas are free
from clutter
• All areas are well lit, especially at night time
• Pathways are smooth
• Steps are wide and clearly marked
• All hand rails are well secured
• External paths are well maintained with no overgrowth and are free from mud
• In winter grit should be used to reduce the risk of ice formation
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Entrance Hall / Reception• All public entry and exit areas are free from clutter
• All areas are well lit especially at night time
• Steps are clearly marked
• All hand rails are well secured - hand rails should be available on both sides of the stairs/passageways
• Floors are smooth
• Floors are dry
• Staircase carpets are well secured and not worn
• Mats and rugs should not be used
• Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately
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Living Areas / Kitchen• All areas are well lit
• Emergency exits are clearly signposted
• Areas are clutter free at all times
• Door handles are well secured
• Regularly used items are stored safely within reach
• Mats and rugs should not be used - but a non slip mat may be used at a sink area
• Chairs/sofas should be an appropriate height
• Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately
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Bedroom• Clutter free
• Provision of adequate personal storage
• Good central lighting with individual bedside lights
• Night lights should be used
• Regularly used personal items should be located in a nearby bedside table
• Bed spreads should not extend to the floor
• Mats and rugs should not be used
• Bed height relevant to individuals, any wheels should be locked, no castors should be used on uncarpeted floors
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Bathroom (1)• Should be well lit with emergency
lighting in the event of a power failure
• Hooks provided to hang clothing items on
• Towel rail adjacent to shower/bath
• Grab rails securely fixed
• Non slip mats used in bath/shower area
• Good floor drainage to prevent collections of water around shower drain
• Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately
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Bathroom (2)• Safe use of personal toiletries in
bathroom could spill and cause a hazard
• Safe storage for cleaning items etc
• Shower caddy located in shower to store personal items
• Toilet seat - use of high level seat as appropriate
• Holders for toilet rolls next to toilet
• Everything should be within easy reach
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Garden / Communal Area• Hand rails are well secured
• Paths/patio’s should be well maintained
• Garden design promotes personal safety
• No trip hazards
• Good lighting in all areas
• Seating areas well maintained
• Garden regularly maintained
• Seasonal hazards considered e.g. leaves in autumn swept up regularly, ice and snow in winter - grit used on walkways
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Some Practical Advice - Minimising the Risk of Falls in People with an Intellectual Disability
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Clothing & Footwear• Personal pendant alarm worn as appropriate e.g.
wrist or necklace at all times - ensure regular checks to ensure it is working
• Shoes should be well fitting and provide sufficient support - ask a shoe shop to check appropriateness of size and general fitting
• Shoes should always be fastened properly
• Regular appointments with a podiatrist should be made for those people with foot problems including diabetes
• Callus’ and corns should be treated
• Custom made shoes and insoles worn/reassessed/replaced as advised
• Clothing should be well fitting. Trousers, skirts and nightwear should not be longer than sitting just below the ankles
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Mobility Aids / Exercise & Diet
• Use walking aid as recommended
• Replace ferrules on walking aids when worn
• Ensure walking aids are in good working order
• Ensure grab rails are the correct height and are well secured
• Regular exercise according to ability as outlined in Happy Bones - www.happybones.ie
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for exercise
• A well balanced diet to keep muscles and bones strong is important - see Happy Bones - www.happybones.ie
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Medication / Eye Sight & Hearing• Take all medication as prescribed
• Some medications can increase the risk of falling and therefore all medications need to be reviewed by the doctor/pharmacist regularly
• Episodes of dizziness or light headedness must be reported
• Regular eye checks must be undertaken
• Eye glasses should be worn as prescribed and should always be clean
• Any changes to eye sight should be reported to the optician
• Hearing aids must be worn if prescribed and must be regularly checked
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‘Best Foot Forward’
Content developed by Daragh Rodger
ANP Care of Older Person, Community. St Mary’s Campus, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland
as part of the Happy Bones Project - see www.happybones.ie
contact [email protected]
Developed with the support of service users and staff from
Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services - Dublin
2016