How to reduce your chance of falling in a Rehabilitation / Complex Continuing Care hospital Toronto Rehab Everyone at Toronto Rehab is working to prevent falls. Falls can result in serious injuries. The good news is that most falls can be prevented. Please read this handout to learn how to prevent a fall during your stay while in rehabilitation or complex continuing care. You play an important role in your safety! Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca 2016 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Toronto Rehab Falls Committee Revised: 08/2016 Form: D-5833
Why are my chances of falling greater while I am in the hospital? The chance of falling may be greater in the hospital because: Your health has changed and you may feel sore, tired, ill, or weak The hospital surroundings are unfamiliar Medications may make you feel sleepy or dizzy Spending more time in bed may make you feel unsteady or weaker when you get up Why should I worry about falling? A fall can result in a serious injury. What can I do to prevent falling? Let your health care team know if you have fallen before or if you re afraid of falling. Before you get up Call... Don t fall! If: you feel dizzy or weak or if you have a lot of pain or your health care team has advised you to ask for help before you get out of bed... Use your call bell. Use your call bell and wait for help to come. Don't get up by yourself. 2
Most falls happen when people get up to go to the bathroom. Don t wait until you have to hurry to the bathroom. If you need help, please use your call bell and wait for help to come. Before you get up (continued) Keep important items close by Keep everything you need within reach. This includes your call bell, water, glasses, phone and walking aids or other personal items. If there is something out of your reach, ask for help to retrieve it. Keep important items close by and leave a light on at night. 3
Look around Wear your glasses or hearing aids so you can be aware of your surroundings. Become familiar with your room and bathroom. Make sure your room, doorway and hallway are free of things that could cause you to trip and fall. Tell us if there are items in your way. Tell us if you see any wet areas on the floor. We will clean them up quickly. Make sure you have enough light. When you get up Ask for help Before you move, call for help if you need it. Being active is very important, but it can also make you tired. When you get up (continued) Wear shoes Always wear non-slip footwear with rubber soles, not slippers or socks. Even if you are walking or wheeling a short way, shoes may help prevent you from slipping. Get up slowly Take your time to get out of your bed or chair. Sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up. Stand up slowly. Get your balance before moving. If you feel weak or unsteady, sit down right away and call for help. 4
When you get up (continued) If you are walking, use safe supports If you use a cane or walker, keep it within reach. Use any assistive devices or equipment that your healthcare team has recommended. Do not use the furniture, tray table or curtains for support. The furniture in your room is on wheels and can roll away from you. Use the handrails or grab bars in the hallway and bathroom as needed. Do use handrails and other safe supports Do not use furniture for support (it may roll away) 5
If you use a wheelchair: Make sure that your wheelchair cannot move before you get in or out. Put both brakes on or turn off the power. Move footplates out of the way so you can get in and out easily. Make sure the brakes on your wheelchair are on before you get in or out. 6