Preventing falls after a stroke

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Preventing falls after a stroke

Weakness and loss of feeling on the affected side after a stroke increase the possibility of falling. You can take the following precautions to prevent falls:

• Have someone help you when you are getting out of bed or walking.
• Keep your room uncluttered. Your home may need to be evaluated, and you may need to have safety modifications made for your particular needs. This may include handrails, a hospital bed, or a taller toilet seat.
• Take medicine to prevent seizures, if you have had seizures.
• Be extra careful if you take medicine that makes you feel drowsy.

The following are some other tips to help prevent falls:

• Whenever possible, push or roll items. Don't carry them.
• Clean up spills quickly. Even small spills can cause you to fall.
• Lay a rubber floor mat in front of the sink to avoid slipping.
• Wear shoes with nonslip rubber soles and strong, solid, low heels.
• Remove loose rugs, and make sure all carpets and rugs will not slip.
• Do not leave electrical cords where you could trip over them.
• If you use a walker or cane, put rubber tips on it.
• If you use crutches, clean the bottoms of the crutches regularly with an abrasive pad, such as steel wool.

Many falls occur during bathing. To prevent falling in the bathroom:

• Have grab bars installed to make getting into and out of the shower or tub easier.
• Put nonskid tape on the floor of the tub or shower. A shower is safer than a tub because you are less likely to fall when getting in and out of a shower.
• Put a chair in the shower or tub if standing makes you tired. Be sure to put suction cups on the legs so that the chair will not slip.
• Get into a tub or shower by putting the weaker leg in first. Get out of a tub or shower with your stronger side first.
• Use a long-handled brush or mittens with straps to help with bathing.

Credits

Last updated:	July 06, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Michele Cronen