Question 1

whats the best way to prevent falls when theres snow and ice outside? i take a rolling backpack with me everywhere to hold on to, i have ice bugs too.

Accepted Answer

Ski poles: Icebug shoes are great, but a rolling backpack is not the best thing to hold onto when walking on ice, as it may roll out from under you leaving you with no support at all.  A better option is to carry the backpack on your back, freeing up your hands to use ski poles or trekking poles for support.  There are also YouTube videos demonstrating safe walking techniques on ice.  Be safe!

Question 2

how does exercise help build and maintain strong bones and prevent falls?

Accepted Answer

"Bones" and "Pones": Axial loading stimulates the bone forming cells to be active and add calcium to the framework of bone.  Thus stronger mones.  Lay around and the minerals leave the bones.  Stay active, exercise and strengthen your muscles, especially your "core", and you will have better balance, gait and tone to prevent you from falling.  This is more important the older we get.  If >50---get with it!

Question 3

my feet are curved and i think its caused me to fall before, what can i buy to prevent falls so that dont happen? and why would i have feet like that?

Accepted Answer

Not a foot fall.: Sorry Pearl but curved feet in and among themselves are not likely the cause of your falling. There are other, more probable reasons that are more than likely involved. To isolate the contributing causes a thorough physical exam is necessary.

Question 4

if buying a motion sensor, should we select? one with recordable message, alarm or silent pager to caregiver? want to prevent falls if 92 yo arises.

Accepted Answer

Difficult choice ...: If you want to prevent falls (and who doesn't?), you need someone there immediately as soon as your 92yo starts stirring. In middle of night, by time someone elsewhere in house wakes up to silent pager, it may be too late. I certainly don't think a recordable message (?) will be enough, regardless if for 92yo or for caregiver. An alarm might actually frighten 92yo regardless if demented or not.

Question 5

i've had two hip implants, i still wobble a little and sometimes i've fallen, is there any kind of shoes i can buy to prevent falls in that situation?

Accepted Answer

Exercise more import: Feeling unsteady after hip surgery is most likely due to muscle weakness about the hip.  Pt  is important to strengthen the muscles.  More uncommonly the prosthesis could be loose.  I would recommend getting x-rays and starting exercises around your hips.  In the short term, a cane or walker would steady you and low heeled shoes with velcro straps would help support your feet.  You should be eval.

Question 6

what do hospitals do to prevent patient falls?

Accepted Answer

Falls: Fall precautions thru 1:1 observation, and removing hazardous material.

Question 7

what are the names/title of the hcp who decides policy development in hospital? ex: preventing patient falls by increasing staff on unit.

Accepted Answer

Different titles: Different hospitals and health care organizations use different specialists (ie nurses, internists, surgeons, etc.,) and different titles for this position.  At our hospital it is a surgeon, and his title is  Director for Patient Safety and Quality Initiatives.

Question 8

my hair falls off a lot, how can this be prevented or reduced?

Accepted Answer

This is not easy..: You need someone to look at your hair after a history and physical.  Get an appointment with a dermatologist.  Best advice i can give, not being able to do the other things!

Question 9

can hip pads help someone who falls a lot prevent hip fractures?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Nothing protects against fractures better than avoiding the falls in the first place but hip pads can be helpful for someone who chronically falls.  Using a walker, removing throw rugs, lighting poorly lit areas, balance training, and muscle strengthening with weight bearing exercise and proper nutrition are all parts of the prevention program.

Question 10

when a person falls asleep, the body is paralyzed to prevent a person from acting out his or her dreams. what's that called?

Accepted Answer

Atonia: Cessation of muscle tone during rem sleep is called atonia. Hope that answers your question.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Preventing Falls

A member asked:

Whats the best way to prevent falls when theres snow and ice outside? i take a rolling backpack with me everywhere to hold on to, i have ice bugs too.

A member asked:

How does exercise help build and maintain strong bones and prevent falls?

A member asked:

My feet are curved and i think its caused me to fall before, what can i buy to prevent falls so that dont happen? and why would i have feet like that?

A member asked:

If buying a motion sensor, should we select? one with recordable message, alarm or silent pager to caregiver? want to prevent falls if 92 yo arises.

A member asked:

I've had two hip implants, i still wobble a little and sometimes i've fallen, is there any kind of shoes i can buy to prevent falls in that situation?

A member asked:

What do hospitals do to prevent patient falls?

A member asked:

What are the names/title of the hcp who decides policy development in hospital? ex: preventing patient falls by increasing staff on unit.

A member asked:

My hair falls off a lot, how can this be prevented or reduced?

A member asked:

Can hip pads help someone who falls a lot prevent hip fractures?

A member asked:

When a person falls asleep, the body is paralyzed to prevent a person from acting out his or her dreams. what's that called?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?