Falls Prevention at Home and Questions for Older Adults and Families

A fall or near fall can make an older person less confident moving around their home. Falls prevention support in Lagos should explore the circumstances and the person's health, movement and environment. Buying a walking aid without assessment may not address the actual difficulty.

Describe the event carefully

Write down where it happened, what the person was doing and whether there were symptoms such as dizziness. Mention previous falls, injuries and changes in medication or health to the relevant clinician. A fall with injury, loss of consciousness or concerning symptoms needs prompt medical attention.

Falls prevention may involve several measures, including assessment of the home and individually appropriate exercise. The right combination depends on the person. A therapist can help determine which issues fall within rehabilitation and which require medical or other specialist review.

Walk through the daily routine together

With the person's agreement, discuss the routes used most often: bed to bathroom, chair to kitchen or doorway to vehicle. Ask where they feel uncertain and what help they prefer. Do not rearrange their home without involving them; a change intended to help can also make familiar tasks confusing.

Bring questions about lighting, footwear, surfaces and equipment to the assessment. Avoid practising balance challenges or transfers from a video without individual guidance. Family members also need to know what assistance is safe for both people.

Preserve confidence and choice

The response to a fall should not automatically be to stop all activity. Agree a safe plan with the care team and review it as circumstances change. Record concerns and near falls, not only injuries, so problems can be discussed early.

Contact Flashcells to discuss physiotherapy, occupational therapy and home safety-related assessment for an older adult. We will clarify the appropriate service and whether medical review should come first.