The majority of falls for older people occur in and around the home [2]. Many of these may go unreported unless an injury occurs.
To reduce the number of falls, it is important to know where falls occur, as strategies to reduce falls can differ depending on the specific location.
The two main locations where falls occur in the home are in the bedroom and the living/dining areas [2]. Falls in the living room can be reduced by removing clutter from the floor. Falls in the bedroom can be reduced by removing long bed spreads and providing good bedside lighting. Additional strategies include looking at personal factors such as strength, balance and medications.
Preventing falls in public places by conducting environmental audits is a proactive approach that has been undertaken in Townsville by the 'Stepping Out' project.
When a fall occurs in a public place, a safety audit should be completed to determine if the environment, such as slippery floor or a broken footpath, contributed to the fall. In these cases, strategies will involve advocating for repairs or changes to design with local government/council or the business owner. Personal factors contributing to the fall also need to be assessed.
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