Falls don’t have to be an inevitable part of ageing. Learn what you can do to keep safe and independent (PDF 150KB). Did you know that every day about 47 older people are admitted to an SA public hospital injured after a fall? Read more about how many South Australians are affected by falls (PDF 147KB).

Practical ways to stay independent at home

Take a fresh look at your house to see if it is helping you to stay independent and active. Do you and your house still suit each other? Sometimes little changes can make a big difference. Sometimes it is better to move to a more suitable house. More than six out of ten slips, trips and falls happen in and around the home. Hazards are easy to overlook but can be easy to fix. Check for home hazards regularly and get them fixed.

See the Making your home your haven fact sheet (PDF 383KB) for information on:

  • ways you can reduce your risk of falling inside your home
  • ways you can reduce your risk of falling outside your home
  • where you can go for help.

How safe are you from falling?

People who are active and look after their health and their home are protecting themselves against the risk of falls. You may not know if you are at risk. Early detection of falls risk is important to avoid injury and keep your independence and mobility.

If you are over 50 please take a couple of minutes to complete the Are you at risk of falling? Self-screen checklist (PDF 119KB). It will give you a guide as to how safe you are from falling, and the areas of your health that might need your attention. If you have osteoporosis, your risk of injury may be higher.

This checklist is not intended to indicate or assign a level of risk of falls to the individual.

Are you at risk of falling? Falls prevention self-screen checklist.

Ladder safety

Falls from ladders contribute a substantial number of emergency department presentations and admissions to Australian hospitals each year.

Ladder-related accidents are a significant cause of major injuries and even death, particularly among men aged 50 years and over. Most of these occurrences are preventable and happen around the home.
Stay safe when using a ladder by following these steps:

Step 1 - Choose a safe ladder

Only buy a ladder if it meets the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1892). The ladder should be labelled, but ask the retailer if you’re not sure.

Before using a ladder, inspect it to make sure it:

  • is the right height for the job
  • has non-slip feet
  • hasn’t warped, rusted or corroded
  • isn’t missing any parts
  • sits flat on firm ground
  • locks securely into place

Step 2 - Follow all safety instructions

Always follow the instructions and safety warnings on the packaging or manual.

Step 3 - Check for unsafe conditions

Make sure there are no power lines or exposed wires near the ladder and never use ladders in thunderstorms, rain or wind.

Step 4 - Set it up safely

Lean the ladder against a wall at a vertical to horizontal ratio of 4:1. This means that if the ladder is 4m tall, place the foot of the ladder 1m from the wall.

Step 5 - Climb it safely

Always wear enclosed, non-slip shoes, have someone hold the ladder at the base, climb up the middle of the ladder, hold it with both hands, carry any tools in a tool belt and never stand on the tread immediately below the top cap.

Step 6 - Work safely

Never use a ladder if you are alone, keep hold of the ladder with one hand, work within arm’s reach of the ladder (don’t lean over), climb down and safely reposition the ladder if you need to reach something.

Step 7 - Work to your ability

If you are alone, not physically able to use a ladder safely, have health conditions or are taking medication, please:

See the 7 steps to ladder safety flyer (PDF 58KB).

Plan what you would do if you fall over

No one expects to have a fall, but having a plan will help you to be confident and get on with life. If you spend a lot of time alone, it is worth thinking about how to get help in an emergency, how to get up from the floor and what to do after a fall. See the Standing up to falls fact sheet (PDF 285KB) for some ideas around:

  • how to prepare yourself for a fall
  • what to do if you fall
  • things to consider if you cannot get up
  • who to tell and what to do after a fall
  • where to go to help to avoid you falling again.

If you happen to have a fall at home

  • Don’t panic – stay still for a few minutes and try to calm down.
  • Call for help if you can.
  • Dial triple zero (000) for emergency services or call your local doctor for help – keep your telephone in easy reach of the floor, for instance on a low table.
  • Decide whether you can get up yourself.

If you can get up by yourself

  • Roll over onto your stomach and try to get into a crawling position.
  • Crawl to a stable piece of furniture, like a lounge chair.
  • Try to get up onto your knees.
  • Push up, using your strongest leg and arms, still firmly holding onto the furniture.
  • Sit down on the furniture.

Pictures on how to do this available in the Standing up to falls fact sheet (285KB).

If you can’t get up by yourself

  • Try to crawl or drag yourself to somewhere on carpet and find anything that can keep you warm, such as bedclothes, a towel or clothing, while you wait for help.
  • Use your personal alarm, if you have one.
  • If you don’t have a personal alarm, use an object that you can bang to make a loud noise, like a walking stick against the wall, to alert a neighbour.
  • If you know no one will hear you, keep warm and try to get up again later.

See your doctor to check for injuries and to assess whether there was a medical cause for the fall.

Equipment for home

Personal Alarms

People can use a personal alert system to call for help if they are unable to use the phone in an emergency. Visit Personal Alert AssistanceSA to learn how to access a personal alert system.

Home supports for safety

As you get older, living independently in your own home can become more difficult. If you’re finding it harder to do the things you used to, you can ask for some help at home. Some equipment that may help include, walking aids, chairs for the shower or bed rails.

This is available through the My Aged Care Aids to stay independent services.

Contact

Safety and Quality
Telephone: (08) 8226 9599
Email: Health.DHWClinicalGovernanceEnquiries@sa.gov.au