Seniors are the most vulnerable group when it comes to slips and falls. Youโve lived your whole life. Youโve seen, and experienced, a lot. The last thing you want is to spend time in a hospital because of a broken leg, hip, or a fractured knee.
Here are some of the most common reasons you might slip and fall, and how to prevent that from happening to you.
Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings
Youโve probably heard this before, but you have to live โin the moment.โ That means being aware of whatโs going on around you. If your mind wanders, or youโre thinking about something else while walking or doing anything else (or even if youโre just sitting there, minding your own business), youโre asking for trouble.
For example, letโs say youโre coming downstairs in the morning. You start thinking about what you have to do. Maybe you pull out your cell phone or you start letting your mind wander. Thatโs when you might fall.
Pay attention to the steps, and use railings when available. Look for a defect in the carpet or steps or risers. If you feel dizzy, stop. make sure you have a firm grip on the ailing, and take a deep breath.
Go slow.
Look And Listen
Form the habit to pause, look, and listen to your surroundings. Think before entering your own living room even. This is especially true when you first get up in the morning or before bed and if the lights are out.
When youโre in your car, while still in park, or when your foot is on the brake. Make sure you understand whatโs going on around you before you pull out into the street.
The Three-Look Method
This is a principle you use when entering a room, regardless of whether itโs in your own house or a business, or anywhere, really. Make sure you look low at the floor, street, or rug level. If thereโs anything that might give you a problem like loose rugs, high curbs, or objects that could obstruct your path, stop. Go around them, or avoid them.
Look level. Look at about chair level to make sure nothing is in your way. Then, look up toward the ceiling to make sure itโs safe and that you wonโt bump your head on something.
Never Rush
Always take your time and never rush into anything. Never rush to open the front door. However long it takes you to walk to the door and answer is however long it takes.
What Happens If You Fall?
Youโve done everything you can, but youโve fallen anyway. Now what?
If youโve fallen in someone elseโs home or at a business, call for help. You will want an accident report filled out, youโll want to document your injuries, and will want to contact David Resnick and Associates PC, Glendale personal injury lawyers, for legal advice.
If youโve fallen at home, hereโs what you do:
First, stay where you are. Take a few deep breaths, and then use your medic-alert call device or your cell phone to call for help.
Finally, despite your carefulness, you should know what steps to follow if youโve taken a fall.
If you can get up, do so.
But, if you canโt, do a self-check to assess where and how you might be injured. Youโll quickly sense how badly youโre hurt or whether youโve broken a bone.
If possible, roll to your side. Bend your knees up to your waist. Inch your way over to a stable object. Scrunch up close to that object and try to pull yourself up. Sit down as soon as possible.
