Avoiding falls? - Important measures to prevent falls

Fall prevention: Falls are one of the most common causes of accidents in Germany. Every year, more than 600,000 people fall in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 12,867 people died from a fall in 2015 alone.

Particularly as people get older, they often suffer serious injuries. The German Medical Association North Rhine estimates that around 80 percent of all over-80s and around 30 percent of all over-65s fall at home every year.

The consequences of a fall are often varied and serious. They involve lengthy stays in hospital, which are often followed by admission to a nursing home.

Contents

Fall prevention through sport

With a well-trained sense of balance, falls can usually be cushioned to minimize the consequences of the fall. You can find tips on balance training here. However, in people with restricted mobility, the sense of balance is often also affected and the muscles may not be sufficiently developed. In these cases, the consequences can be very serious. This makes fall prevention essential.

Intrinsic and extrinsic causes of falls

The causes of falls are divided into environmental and personal causes.

Environmental causes of falls

  • Poor lighting
  • Uneven surface
  • Smooth surface
  • Use of inappropriate mobility aids
  • Carpet edges
  • (loose) cable
  • Wet substrate
  • Missing handrail (on both sides)
  • Clothes that are too long and loose
  • No sturdy shoes
  • Objects on the stairs/floor
room dark
feet

Personal causes of falls

  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Muscle weakness/lack of strength
  • Gait instability
  • Lack of exercise
  • Reduced vision and hearing
  • Taking medication
  • Fear of falling due to previous falls
  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (osteoporosis, arthrosis, disc wear, etc.)
  • Joint problems
  • Neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, infantile cerebral palsy, polyneuropathy, Parkinson's disease, stroke, etc.)
people walk
tablets

Stair falls and fall prevention

A considerable proportion of falls occur on stairs and these falls in particular can have serious consequences. In 2013, there were around 4000 deaths due to falls on stairs. It is not uncommon for a fall to occur due to a lack of safety awareness or climbing stairs too hastily.

Guidelines for fall prevention in everyday life

We have therefore compiled a series of guidelines that you should follow to ensure safe use of the stairs and that you can use to actively prevent falls.

  • Always walk up the stairs in a concentrated, mindful and calm manner.
  • Always use the handrail, or even both handrails if available.
  • Make sure that no objects are left on the stairs.
  • Wear sturdy and non-slip footwear.
  • Make sure you have a clear view and do not walk up the stairs when they are full.
  • Do not wear clothing that is too loose and could cause you to slip or get caught on the railing.

What are the possible consequences of a fall?

Whether for senior citizens or people with disabilities, a fall often results in a fear of falling again. This in turn can lead to less activity and poorer body balance.

The physical consequences are usually bruises, sprains, fractures, lacerations and hematomas. The most well-known fractures are femur and hip fractures, which involve a lengthy and arduous rehabilitation process.

However, falling down stairs also has psychological consequences. The fear of future falls, for example. By avoiding climbing stairs, the person affected is often "trapped" in their own home and isolates themselves from their social network.

If this anxiety is not treated, it can develop into social isolation or depression. Due to social isolation and limited mobility, many sufferers lose their self-confidence and trust in their own abilities. At the same time, their independence dwindles more and more. In the worst case, this can lead to a need for care.

Senior hand

Fall prevention: So what safety guidelines should you follow when climbing stairs?

  1. Concentrated, mindful and calm walking on the stairs
  2. Use handrails
  3. Do not leave any objects on the stairs
  4. Wear sturdy and non-slip footwear
  5. Have a clear view when climbing stairs
  6. Do not climb the stairs fully loaded
  7. Do not wear clothing that is too loose

But what can you do in your own home to ensure safe access to stairs?

Fall prevention at home

Essential requirements of the European Construction Products Directive apply to the safety in use of stairs. These directives include

  • a comfortable stair ascent with sufficient step size,
  • sure-footed step and platform training,
  • Good lighting and illumination of the entire staircase
  • as well as non-slip and stable handrails on the railing.

A variety of aids are available to prevent falls. These make using the stairs safer and help to prevent falls on the stairs as far as possible.

Fall prevention on stairs

An innovative stair climber developed in Norway now offers the necessary support and safety that those affected need when climbing stairs. The TOPRO Step stair climber is a cost-effective alternative to a stairlift and mobilizes the person affected instead of passivating them. As a result, the user actively trains to climb stairs and increases gait safety on stairs.

This ensures safer stair climbing even outside the home and helps to prevent future falls. The TOPRO Step can be installed quickly, as neither permits nor electrical connections are required. The system is module-based and can be installed on almost all types of stairs.

Please contact your insurance company for more information regarding financing options.

Falls and especially falls down stairs should not be taken lightly. Would you like to make your stairs safe and prevent yourself from falling? Then the above guidelines on safety on stairs apply.

We also recommend the use of aids to secure the stairs. Another important point for people with gait insecurity is to maintain and develop their mobility and strength in order to ensure and train gait safety.

Information on the Assistep stair climbing aid cost coverage
TOPRO Step stair climber

Why choose TOPRO Step?

Installation in 3 steps

To carry out an on-site inspection and receive a quote, make an appointment with us. Once you have accepted the quote, we will carry out the installation, which usually only takes a few hours. .

TĂśV tested and certified

TOPRO Step is TĂśV-tested and certified and meets all functional and safety requirements.

Adaptable to your staircase

TOPRO Step is designed so that it can be easily adapted to your staircase. It can be installed on straight stairs, curved stairs and stairs with a landing.

Fits perfectly in any home

Ask your health insurance company about the possibility of cost coverage or possible subsidies. Please note that these options are country-specific and individual.

Up to 5 years warranty

TOPRO Step means TOPRO quality. When you buy a TOPRO Step, you receive a guarantee of up to 5 years.

Over 2,000 satisfied users

We measure success by satisfied customers, which is our top priority. We already have over 4,000 satisfied users throughout Europe.

Choose your TOPRO Step

Configure your TOPRO Step - in just a few steps!

Do you have any questions?

Talk to us

Would you like a free and personal consultation? Get in touch with our TOPRO Step experts and book a free, no-obligation appointment directly at your home.

We are happy to advise you

TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
Monday - Friday
08:00 - 16:00 o'clock.

We are happy to advise you

TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
Monday - Friday
08:00 - 16:00 o'clock.

Do you have any questions or would you like to test the TOPRO Step stair climber?

We have compiled all frequently asked questions on the FAQ page

Would you like to find out more about the financing options for the TOPRO Step?

TOPRO Step

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