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Preventing falls - what to ask your doctor

  • Definition

    • Many people with medical problems are at risk of falling or tripping. This can leave you with broken bones or more serious injuries. You can do many things to make your home safer for you.

      Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help keep your home safe for you.
  • Alternative Names

    • Fall prevention - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about preventing falls
  • Questions

    • Am I taking any medicines that will make me sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded?

      Are there exercises I can do to make me stronger or improve my balance to help prevent falls?

      Where in my home do I need to make sure there is enough light?

      How can I make my bathroom safer?

      • Do I need a shower chair?
      • Do I need a raised toilet seat?
      • Do I need help when I take a shower or bath?

      Do I need bars on the walls in the shower, by the toilet, or in the hallways?

      Is my bed low enough?

      • Do I need a hospital bed?
      • Do I need a bed on the first floor so I do not need to climb stairs?

      How can I make the stairs at my house safer?

      Is it ok to have pets in the home?

      What are other things that I may trip over?

      What can I do about any uneven floors?

      Do I need help with cleaning, cooking, laundry, or other household chores?

      Should I use a cane or a walker?

      What should I do if I fall? How can I keep my phone near me?
  • References

    • Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, et al. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2009, Apr 15;CD007146. PMID: 19370674 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19370674.

      Rubenstein LZ, Dillard D. Falls. In: Ham RJ, Sloane PD, Warshaw GA, Potter JF, Flaherty E, eds. Ham's Primary Care Geriatrics. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 20.