Check your Risk for Falling

ByPreventative Healthcare Team

As we age, our risk of falling increases. It’s important to be aware of your risk factor for falls, and how you can prevent them. Take this quiz to determine if you could be at risk of a fall.

Check your risk for falling:

  1. I have fallen in the past year – YES (2) or NO (0)
  2. I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely – YES (2) or NO (0)
  3. Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking – YES (1) or NO (0)
  4. I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home – YES (1) or NO (0)
  5. I am worried about falling – YES (1) or NO (0)
  6. I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair – YES (1) or NO (0)
  7. I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb – YES (1) or NO (0)
  8. I often have to rush to the toilet – YES (1) or NO (0)
  9. I have lost some feeling in my feet – YES (1) or NO (0)
  10. I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual – YES (1) or NO (0)
  11. I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood – YES (1) or NO (0)
  12. I often feel sad or depressed – YES (1) or NO (0)

Add up the number of points for each “YES” answer. If you scored 4 points or more, you may be at risk of falling.

Here are our top 10 tips from Allied Health Manager, Emily Peake, to prevent falls in your home:

  1. Try to do 30-60 minutes of exercise most days with a focus on maintaining and improving balance and strength. If you live near our campus in Potts Point, why not make this exercise a social event by joining a class at our Active Life Studio.
  2. Wear safe, enclosed footwear with good support and grip. Feeling confident in your own shoes will make a huge difference in feeling safe and steady on your feet.
  3. Keep your mind healthy and active as well as your body. If you’re looking for puzzles, games or other items to stimulate your mind and prevent cognitive decline, shop online at Mind Connect Australia.
  4. Secure loose mats or rugs to avoid slips and trips. Use non-slip mats or double-sided tape to secure rugs and carpets, preventing them from sliding and causing slips. This is especially important in high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.
  5. Make sure you have enough lighting and turn lights on so you can see where you are going. Good visibility reduces the risk of missteps and will help you navigate your surroundings safely.
  6. Declutter living spaces and move large pieces of furniture so that you have a clear walkway and check your home for hazards – these could be loose carpets or rugs, cords from electrical appliances or other items you could trip on.
  7. Visit your GP for a review of your medications.
  8. Get your eye sight checked regularly!
  9. Install sturdy handrails on stairs, to provide support and stability as you move around your home
  10. Equip bathrooms with grab bars near toilets and in the shower or bathtub. Use non-slip mats inside the shower and consider a raised toilet seat for added convenience.

If you’d like more information about how to prevent falls in your home, please email us at enquiries@slc.org.au and one of our team members will be in touch with you.