Active Wait programme

Week 8 – Avoiding Slips and Trips

Preventing a fall

Anyone can have a fall, but you may be more at risk if you are having trouble getting around. It is important to be careful and do what you can to prevent falls as a fall could cause an injury which may increase your pain, reduce your mobility, or delay your surgery.

Falls are more likely to happen if:

• You have low strength and poor balance
• If you drink alcohol
• Floors are wet or slippery, such as in the bathroom or kitchen
• The room lighting is dim
• Rugs and carpets are not properly secured or are rolled over at the edges
• You are walking downstairs without a rail or bannister
• You are rushing around the house, such as to answer the door/phone or rushing to the toilet.

Handy Tips and Tricks to prevent falls

There are some things you can do that can help prevent a fall. For example:

• Moving regularly and doing strength exercises to help improve your strength, mobility, balance and coordination
• Avoiding alcohol or reducing the amount you drink can reduce your risk of having a fall.
• Using non-slip mats in the bathroom or kitchen where needed
• Mopping up spills to prevent wet, slippery floors
• Ensuring all rooms, passages and staircases are well lit
• Removing clutter, particularly in walkways, trailing wires and frayed carpet to avoid tripping on them
• Organising the home so that climbing, stretching and bending when you are needing something is kept to a minimum
• Have things you use most often in places that are easy to get to
• Wear shoes/slippers that are well supported and have a grippy sole so you can feel more stable and avoid walking around in socks or tights wear it is easier to slip
• Avoid wearing loose fitted clothes that you could catch or trip over
• Having regular eye checks

Your weekly exercises

Click the links below to see this week’s exercises. You only need to select one level. Start on the foundation level, and if you find it easy click on the intermediate and advanced exercises for a more difficult version next time.

• Foundation – bed and chair exercises
• Intermediate – chair and standing exercises
• Advanced – standing exercises