Did you know? In-home falls happen all the time, and they happen mostly to adults aged 65 and over. In fact, according to the CDC, one in four older adults will fall at home, and only half of these people will alert someone.

Fall rates are too high, and there are many things you can do to prevent them from happening in your home. Our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team highlights what you need to know about in-home falls below, so keep reading!

What Should I Do If I Fall?

Falling at home is not ideal, to say the least. In-home falls can be painful and embarrassing, but if you do experience a fall, it’s important to know what to do next.

Plus, once you fall at home, it more than doubles your chances of falling again. We’ve listed the steps you should take after falling below.

What to Do After a Fall

• Pause and take a few deep breaths. This will help you get over the shock of falling before you attempt to get up.
• Decide if you are injured. Getting up too fast or moving incorrectly can make an injury worse.
• If you think you can get up, roll onto your side, get on your knees, crawl to a sturdy chair or piece of furniture, lift yourself up and sit down.
• After you’ve gotten up, or even if you haven’t, call a loved one and let them know what happened. More than half of those that fall don’t tell anyone.

What Can I Do to Prevent In-Home Falls?

One of the best things you can do to limit your risk of falling at home is to keep a tidy home. Clutter in the floor greatly increases the risk of falling.

We’ve listed some additional ways to prevent falls below.

Ways to Prevent Falls

• Secure throw rugs. Throw rugs are one of the biggest fall culprits, as they have a tendency to bunch up. While the safest option is not to use them, rugs are common in most homes. Consider putting rubber gripping under your rugs to make them safer.
• Improve lighting. A dimly lit home increases the chances of tripping and falling. Keeping the home too bright is also a problem because it may create a glare. A good rule of thumb is to keep the home well-lit but not overly lit.
• Wear footwear that has some grip. Slippery socks and slippers can cause falls, so consider wearing shoes or socks with rubber grips on the bottom to reduce your fall risk.
• Maintain an active lifestyle! Being sedentary will weaken your body and reduce flexibility, which can make you more susceptible to falls. Exercising consistently will greatly lower your fall risk and help you reach optimal health.

We’re here to help you be safe in your home! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC team with any further questions or concerns.