Written by ComForCare Home Care | Published August 23, 2023

Many Home Health Care Nurses find themselves working with a client or patient that is at risk for falling - especially those living with Parkinson's disease or another movement disorder! Do you know there are many things you can do to help reduce that risk?

Here are a few things to consider to help keep your clients or patients from falling:

1. Encourage a follow up Doctor appointment. If you notice falls happening more often, encourage your client or patient or a family member to schedule an appointment with their doctor. These falls could be a result of a new medication or an interaction between two medications. It can also indicate that there may be something going on with their eyes or ears.
2. Keep them moving. Physical activity is a great way to help prevent falls. Walking and swimming are great exercises. If your client or patient is doing physical therapy, encourage them to practice their exercises on off days.
3. Make sure they’re wearing sensible shoes. Their shoes should fit properly and have non-skid soles. Avoid high heels, floppy slippers, flip flops or anything with a slick sole that can cause them to slip and fall.
4. Remove hazards in the home. Clutter, tight walkways, poor lighting, loose rugs, computer, TV and phone cords are all tripping hazards. Ensure there are clear pathways through which they walk, make sure there’s enough lighting, tack down the throw rugs or get rid of them and tie up any loose cords that may be in the way and make sure there are non-slip mats in the bathtub and/or shower.
5. Use assistive devices. Make sure your client or patient is using their walker or cane. If there are no grab bars in the bathroom, suggest to them or their family that perhaps they should consider installing them. If your client or patient is really unsteady in the shower, suggest a shower chair as well.

At ComForcare, we offer ongoing skills training as well as monthly Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's disease training. If you'd like to learn more about how to register with ComForCare, please contact our Career Services office at careerservices@chcollege.org.