Health Tip: Caregivers Can Help Prevent Falls

(HealthDay News) -- Someone who is unsteady, weak and maybe a bit confused is a prime candidate for a dangerous fall.

The American Cancer Society says caregivers can help prevent falls by:

• Sitting the person on the side of the bed for a minute, just after the person wakes. This will help if changing positions too quickly makes the person feel dizzy or unsteady.
• Lending an arm when the person walks.
• Staying with the person, if there's a feeling of light-headedness, when the person goes to the bathroom.
• Installing a bath mat or non-slip stickers in the shower or bath.
• Keeping electric cords off the floor.
• Keeping walking paths clear of clothing, throw rugs and other things that could lead to tripping or slipping.
• Taping the edges of all rugs to the floor.
• Having a bedpan within easy reach.
• Reminding the person to wear shoes or non-skid slippers.

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

This article was from HealthDay and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].