Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Falling is scary. In surveys with older people, it ranked right up there with fears like spiders and loneliness. And that makes sense, because in people over the age of 65, falling is the leading cause of injury, trauma-related hospital visits, and even death from an injury.
Falling can cause serious problems like hip breaks and fractures, broken or fractured arms and legs, and even head or brain injuries. And not only is it dangerous, but it’s also extremely common - 1 in 4 older adults have been recorded as suffering a fall each year. Risk factors that increase your likelihood of falling include:
But, it doesn’t have to happen to you or your loved one. Whether you’re living with one or more of these risk factors, there are tools that can help keep you steady and improve confidence while you move around with ease. We’ll outline some of the best fall prevention devices from our catalog, and explain how and why they can help.
Stabilized Steps are a unique tool that can be added to any standard walker to transform it into a more stable, all-terrain mobility device. These gliders attach simply to the feet of the walker and redistribute the weight of the user, preventing the walker from tipping or losing balance. They help to reduce the risk of side-to-side, forward, and backward falls to promote easy mobility with confidence.
This unique pole system is one of the best and most versatile ways to add more stability to any area of your home. This sleek, compact pole doesn't take up much space, but provides a huge amount of fall reduction support. It can be easily installed anywhere, and is sturdy and easy to grip for a convenient solution to added support through nearly any mobility task. For added gripping power, the SuperPole is also available with the SuperBar to offer an additional horizontal surface for support.
This grab bar is versatile and convenient, featuring a strong grip for reliable support with a portable, telescoping design that easily accommodates any area. Available in two sizes for even more size adjustability, this bar is held in place with ultra-strong suction cups that leave no permanent damage to the wall, making it great for easy placement and adjustment. It can also be disassembled for convenient portability wherever it’s needed.
These reliable grab bars are durable and reliable, and as their name says, they’re easy to install. Improving on the standard grab bar model, these bars are ADA-compliant, rust-proof, and feature covered hardware for a sleek, long-lasting construction. They’re designed with an innovative 9-hole easy-mount flange to allow for greater mounting flexibility to structural studs. Available in multiple sizes to best accommodate your home design, these bars are finished with a durable powder-coat and are great for any bathroom, shower, kitchen, or anywhere you need added support.
A toilet safety frame is designed to provide added stability and protection from falls for users as they stand up from and sit down on the toilet, and the Guardian does that exceptionally. It features adjustable handles that can be rotated back to allow for more comfortable positioning, and includes closed-cell foam armrests for better grip with more comfort for your hands. Aluminum frame is strong yet lightweight for easy installation and long-lasting use.
This bed rail combines the best of all bedside supports, featuring a standard rail handle, a swing away stability arm for support as you get up, and a convenient storage pouch for easy access to often-used supplies. It features a sturdy base that is inserted between the mattress and the box spring for strong support, and includes adjustable legs for correctly positioned support. The handle is comfortably padded with cushioned fabric for an improved grip, and includes an anti-slip base as well for more support.
For support sitting and standing from a couch or chair, the Couch Cane is a great tool. It features a sturdy base with rubber grip pads that can slide under your couch to provide great support at the appropriate angle for comfortable balance. The versatile design can be easily adjusted in height to enable compatibility with either side of a couch or chair. It’s low-profile enough to fit in easily with any decor without an institutional look. It also includes a 4-pocket organizer pouch that keeps personal items close-at-hand
For people at high risk for falls, there’s nothing better than the AllCare bed. Unlike most standard low beds, the AllCare is height and width adjustable and features a higher weight capacity for better accommodation of patients of all sizes. This bed has been designed as an all-in-one solution for a variety of needs featuring a range of positioning options, and can be lowered all the way to the floor for maximum fall protection.
Fall prevention is nothing to be taken lightly. Whether it be you or a loved one, it’s important that you take proper safety precautions and have a safe, well lit, clutter-free environment with any required assistive equipment to best protect yourself and your loved ones from falls and injuries.
Falling can be an action that has costly consequences - both monetarily and in quality of life. However, despite having many factors that may seem to lead up to it, falling is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, with the use of proper tools and practical lifestyle changes, the chances of one falling can be exponentially reduced.
For more information on fall prevention, fall prevention devices, and how to know if you or a loved one might be at risk of a dangerous fall, check out more of our helpful articles on Caregiver University. And, when you’re ready to shop or compare products, make sure you visit Rehabmart.com for all your medical equipment needs.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
