Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention

Building your care team

Caregiving can be a lot to handle, especially if only one or two people are doing most of the work. Building a care team can help. Having others - such as family members, friends, neighbours, and professionals - to talk to and problem-solve with can make caregiving more manageable and less overwhelming. When it comes to preventing and managing falls, there are professionals and community services that can help. Learn about the professionals and services available to help you care for an older person at risk of injury from falls. This episode is one part of The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention. You can access the full guide, including all the checklists and tools referenced in this episode, at parachute.ca/caregiver. [https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-seniors/caregivers-guide-to-fall-prevention/]

A conversation guide for caregivers: Starting a conversation about falls

Starting a conversation with the person you care for about preventing falls isn’t easy. Caregiving can be complex and for some, having these types of conversations about how to prevent falls are extremely difficult. And that’s OK. Listen to this episode for tips on how have those tough conversations. This episode is one part of The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention. You can access the full guide, including all the checklists and tools referenced in this episode, at parachute.ca/caregiver. [https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-seniors/caregivers-guide-to-fall-prevention/]

What to do if a fall happens: How to help safely

Knowing how to safely help the person you care for if they fall is important for their safety and yours. Learn about how and when to help someone get up and when the fallen person needs medical attention. Rehearse how to recover from a fall with the person you care for using the Fall Action Plan, which outlines what to do if an older person falls when they are alone. Finally, it's a good idea to document the circumstances of a fall, even if there is no obvious injury: You can share these details with your care team and use them to identify any changes that can reduce the likelihood of a fall happening again. This episode is one part of The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention. You can access the full guide, including all the checklists and tools referenced in this episode, at parachute.ca/caregiver. [https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-seniors/caregivers-guide-to-fall-prevention/]

Preventing falls: Taking the next steps together

In this episode, you’ll find practical tips and strategies for preventing falls. You'll find out why certain things can increase the risk of falls and what you can do to address them: • Blood pressure management • Eye health and vision • Footwear • Hearing health • Home modifications, equipment and devices • Medications • Mental and emotional health • Movement and physical activity • Moving safely • Staying hydrated and drinking water. At the end of the episode you will find reminder tools you and the person you care for can use to track your fall prevention activities and progress. This episode is one part of The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention. You can access the full guide, including all the checklists and tools referenced in this episode, at parachute.ca/caregiver. [https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-seniors/caregivers-guide-to-fall-prevention/]

Understanding the risk of falls: Taking the first steps

Most falls happen at home. Falls can also happen outside – such as on front doorsteps or an icy driveway – or while out and about in the community. The reasons that make someone more likely to fall are known as “risk factors”. Risk factors for falls can include things such as: • Older age • Mobility, balance and strength issues • Certain health conditions (e.g., arthritis, cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s) • Taking multiple medications • Hazards in the home, such as uneven steps or rugs that can be tripped on. The more risk factors someone has, the more likely they are to fall. This episode is one part of The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention. You can access the full guide, including all the checklists and tools referenced in this episode, at parachute.ca/caregiver. [https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-seniors/caregivers-guide-to-fall-prevention/]