Focusing on falls prevention at home

As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to certain ailments, illnesses, and the likelihood of having a fall in the home. Getting older is inevitable, but falls don’t need to be. A significant amount of falls in the home can be prevented, double tread slipper socks are one way to do this.

From GOV UK, “a fall is defined as an event which causes a person to, unintentionally, rest on the ground or lower level, and is not a result of a major intrinsic event (such as a stroke) or overwhelming hazard.” Falls are a risk in the older population due to the serious complications they can cause. Having a fall can result in injuries of varying severity, such as from a small bruise to a fracture.

We are looking at how we can best prevent falls at home, addressing health, environment and more. As well as considering the use of double tread slipper socks to reduce falls in the home.

 

The impact of falls

Something we may not consider is the wider impact of falls. Of course, a fall mainly impacts the individual who falls, both physically and mentally. But we may not  contemplate the way it impacts their loved ones, their carers, hospital staff, and the real world cost.

Unaddressed fall hazards in the home are estimated to cost the NHS in England £435 million. With the total annual cost of fragility fractures to the UK has been estimated at £4.4 billion. Reducing the amount of falls benefits everyone, from the individual to the economy.

From a physical perspective, falls were the ninth highest cause of disability-adjusted life years in England back in 2013, and the leading cause of injury. If a fall is severe, and causes a hip fracture, returning to normal life may not be possible.

20% of hip fracture patients entered long-term care in the first year after the fracture. Both short and long term outlooks for patients following a hip fracture are poor. There is an increased one-year mortality of between 18% and 33%. As well as difficulty continuing daily living activities, such as walking.

Preventative measures are the best solution of reducing falls, addressing a person’s physical health, medications, environment, support needs and more will aid in reducing falls at home.

 

Risk factors for falls

As we know, getting older is a risk factor for falls. This is due to the physical decline we see in ageing, weaker muscles and bones for example. However, there are other reasons a person may have an increased risk of falling. Things such as:

• Muscle weakness
• Visual impairment
• Poor balance
• Certain medications
• Cluttered environment
• Medical conditions
• Lack of support

Those taking particular medications, or with health conditions may be more likely to fall and require plans and support in place for them to live their day to day lives. Or may need to consider additional care options. In terms of muscle and bone weakness, these things can be improved in some cases with exercise and diet.

One easy way to reduce the risk of falls is to create a clutter free and safe environment. Removing loose cords, rugs and decorative items from walkways is a quick and easy action. Another simple solution is to wear non-slip socks around the home.

 

Non-slip socks

Double tread slipper socks are commonly used in hospitals, to prevent the risk of inpatient falls. Patients who have mobility issues, or have recently had surgery or treatment receive these socks to provide them with stability when walking.

The grip reduces the risk of slipping on hard floors, such as laminate or hospital floors. This makes them an ideal solution for home use. The grip promotes a sense of independence and confidence when walking. Slippers can be another trip hazard, and are not recommended for those recovering, or with mobility problems.

Non-slip socks are a reliable alternative to wearing slippers around the house. Take a look at the key benefits and features of double tread slipper socks:

• Available in a variety of sizes – up to bariatric size
• Tread on both sides of the sock – ensures the patient is protected if the sock twists
• Latex free fabric – suitable for those with allergies
• Sold in packs of 5 – cost effective choice
• Comfortable and stretchy – pleasant to wear
• Promotes confidence when walking and standing
• Safer alternative to shoes and slippers for indoors

 

More about falls prevention

If you are interested in learning more about falls, including products and prevention, we have more articles for you. Read Do slipper socks help prevent falls? | Don’t slip up! Buy the right non-slip socks | Preventing falls at home: A checklist.

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