Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults, contributing to hospitalisations, reduced mobility, and even long-term disability and death. In fact, according to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare “people aged 85 and over were most likely to be injured by falls” and there was “238,055 hospitalisations in 2022–23” related to falls injuries. The impact is especially severe in care settings such as aged care facilities, hospitals, and community care environments. As the elderly population continues to grow, ensuring that fall prevention measures are in place is crucial to safeguarding their health and well-being. Fortunately, several fall prevention products can help reduce the risk of falls in various care environments. In this blog post, we will explore the top five must-have fall prevention products for elderly care and how they benefit patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
1. Fall Prevention Bed and Floor Mats
One of the most common causes of injury in elderly individuals is falls involving a bed. In Australia, during 2022-23 6,394 hospitalisations were due to falls involving a bed. The risk of such falls can be particularly high for those who experience cognitive conditions like dementia, or general frailty associated with ageing, which may lead to confusion, impaired mobility, or difficulty getting in and out of bed. To counter these risks, a fall prevention bed mat used independently or in combination with a floor mat are crucial in both home care and healthcare settings.
Alarmed bed mats like the CareWatch are a critical aid for carers to help manage the risk of falls in those they are looking after. These pressure-off sensitive mats connect to an alarm which will alert a carer when the patient leaves the bed. Oftentimes, the alarm’s tempo, tone and volume can be adjusted to allow a carer to quickly differentiate between patients or be set to avoid startling the patient. If used in an aged care or healthcare setting, it is also possible for bed mats to be connected to a nurse-call system allowing prompt notification to nursing staff.
Similarly to bed mat, some floor mats like the MoveAlert range are equipped with sensors that alert caregivers when a resident attempts to leave their bed. This feature can help staff and carers respond promptly to prevent falls before they happen. In addition, these mats are designed to absorb some of the impact of a fall, which can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Made from materials like foam or rubber, floor mats help cushion the fall, assisting to prevent serious injuries like fractures. Non-alarmed fall mats are also available and often called crash mats.
Fall prevention mats for both the bed and floor are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for hospital and aged care environments. Their slimline design means they are easy to store when not in use.
Ideal Use:
- Aged Care Facilities: Mats placed around beds and other areas of high fall risk can provide essential protection for residents with mobility or cognitive impairments.
- Hospitals: For patients recovering from surgery or those with limited mobility, bed mats are crucial to preventing falls during nighttime or when getting out of bed.
- Home Care: For elderly individuals receiving care at home, these mats are an affordable yet effective way to mitigate the risk of falls, particularly in the bedroom area.
2. Non-Slip Flooring
Slippery floors are a significant hazard, especially in high-traffic areas like bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens. Non-slip flooring, whether in the form of mats, rugs, or permanent flooring solutions, is one of the most effective ways to prevent falls in care environments.
Non-slip floors provide better grip underfoot, significantly reducing the likelihood of a fall caused by slipping or skidding. Non-slip flooring comes in various types, including peel-and-stick mats, adhesive strips, or specialised flooring designed for healthcare settings. Non-slip flooring is particularly beneficial in wet areas like bathrooms, where the combination of water and smooth surfaces can lead to dangerous slips. A simple and cost-effective solution for bathrooms are suction-cup rubber mats for use in the shower or bath.
Ideal Use:
- Aged Care Facilities: High-risk areas like bathrooms and communal spaces should have non-slip flooring to protect residents. Many aged care facilities also benefit from installing non-slip flooring in areas like kitchens and laundry rooms.
- Hospitals: Hospitals often have high patient turnover and fast-moving staff. In environments where patients may have difficulty walking or are in recovery, slip-resistant floors are vital to patient safety.
- Home Care: For elderly individuals living at home, non-slip mats or rugs can help provide extra protection in the bathroom, kitchen, or hallway areas, particularly if the floors are tile or wood.
3. Grab Bars and Handrails
Grab bars and handrails are some of the most basic yet effective fall prevention products available. These devices provide elderly individuals with extra support when moving around, especially in areas like bathrooms, staircases, and hallways.
Grab bars allow individuals to stabilise themselves while getting in and out of the bath or using the toilet, which can reduce the chances of slipping. Likewise, handrails along stairways and corridors can prevent falls by giving people something to hold onto while walking, ensuring steady movement.
Grab bars and handrails can be installed in most environments, making them a versatile solution for various care settings. The many different designs and configurations allow for flexible solutions. We always recommend getting grab bars and handrails installed by a professional to ensure proper placement and fixing to the required surface.
Ideal Use:
- Aged Care Facilities: Grab bars should be installed in all bathrooms and high-risk areas to help residents who are less mobile or have poor balance.
- Hospitals: In hospitals, grab bars are useful for both patient and caregiver safety. They are typically installed in patient rooms, bathrooms, and hallways to support patients with limited mobility or those recovering from surgery.
- Community Care Environments: Grab bars can be installed in patients’ homes or public spaces like senior centers to promote safe movement. They’re especially helpful in bathrooms, where falls are more likely to occur.
4. Fall-Detection Devices and Wearables
Advancements in technology have led to the development of fall-detection devices and wearables, which can monitor the health and activity levels of elderly individuals in real time. These devices detect when a fall occurs and automatically alert caregivers or emergency responders, ensuring a prompt response. Models are also available for the wearer to manually activate a fall alert to a carer if they wish.
Fall-detection devices immediately notify caregivers when a fall is detected, allowing for faster intervention. This is critical in environments where elderly individuals may be unable to call for help themselves such as when they live alone. Some devices also monitor daily activity and send alerts if a decline in movement or behavior is detected, indicating potential fall risks before they occur.
Wearable fall-detection devices, such as smartwatches or pendants, are lightweight and unobtrusive, ensuring comfort while providing continuous safety monitoring.
Ideal Use:
- Aged Care Facilities: Fall-detection devices are especially valuable in settings where residents may not be able to report a fall or distress immediately. They help staff monitor patients even when they are not in direct sight.
- Hospitals: For patients who have recently undergone surgery or are at high risk of falling, wearable fall detectors help medical staff maintain constant vigilance.
- Home Care: For elderly individuals living independently, wearable fall-detection devices provide a safety net in case of emergencies, allowing loved ones or caregivers to respond quickly.
5. Assistive Walking Devices
For seniors with mobility issues, assistive walking devices such as canes (also known as walking sticks), walkers, and rollators are essential for maintaining balance and stability. These mobility aids provide the necessary support for elderly individuals to move independently and safely, reducing the risk of falls and allow users to enjoy freedom of movement around their environment. Many of these walking devices and mobility aids are compact or can be folded down allowing for easy storage as well as transportation in the car. Bariatric options are also available for users who require aids with a greater weight capacity. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before purchasing a walking device or mobility aid.
Ideal Use:
- Aged Care Facilities: In aged care environments, walkers and canes should be readily available for residents who need assistance with walking. Providing a range of mobility aids ensures that each resident can find the device that best suits their needs.
- Hospitals: For patients recovering from surgery or injury, walkers or rollators offer the necessary support for rehabilitation and mobility while minimising fall risk.
- Community Care: For elderly individuals living at home, assistive walking devices enable safer movement both indoors and outdoors, reducing the risk of falls in everyday situations.
Conclusion
Preventing falls among elderly individuals is essential for improving quality of life and reducing the risk of injury. By implementing fall prevention products such as fall mats, non-slip flooring, grab bars, fall-detection wearables, and assistive walking devices, aged care facilities, hospitals, and home care environments can create safer spaces for elderly individuals to live and recover. These products not only provide physical protection but also promote independence, confidence, and peace of mind for both residents and caregivers. Be in touch with Safety and Mobility to see how we can support you to prevent the risk of falls for those you care for.