Tag: falls prevention

That First Step is a Doozy!

Have ever wondered where this saying came from? Well I can’t answer that but I can tell you why it makes sense.

Did you know that the first 3 steps of any ascent or descent are the most unsafe. This is for various reasons such as concentration, distraction as to where or why you are climbing the stairs, foot accommodation on the tread, change in step pattern or stride…

The way to be safe is to use a rail, but many rails don’t start or finish where they are supposed to. The standards we set for handrails in Australia take notice of the above concerns and specify that rails need to start before the steps do, and finish after they do. This way as you reach the landing on either end you still have something to hold to steady yourself on arrival.

Be confident that your arrival at your destination is always a safe one by making sure that your rail is with you throughout the entire journey.

Safe travels!

Services for Home modifications and Falls equipment

This week its OT Week 2020. The theme is Rebuild, Recover , Reengage. I have taken a moment to reflect and think about the changes that COVID19 has brought to my practice this year.

Many of my patients have withdrawn behind closed doors to wait out the situation, some have used my new telehealth services and others have continued with face to face using protective equipment, social distancing and treatment out of doors.

It has brought with it an opportunity to change the practice and extend my services not only geographically to the southern Brisbane suburbs around Greenbank and Mt Warren but in treatment provision to include minor home modifications such as rails and bidets in bathrooms and non slip surfacing, and larger pieces of equipment such as high back chairs, electric recliners and a greater focus on falls prevention equipment such as sensor lighting, non slip mats, wheeled walkers, and incontinence aids such as bedding and chair pads and pressure and back care cushions.

It has reminded me of the extent of an Occupational Therapist’s ability to assess a persons capacity, their environment at home and the tasks they wish to engage in and assist them in self maintaining these tasks and interacting with their environment in a safer manner.

This week alone has been a varied experience of wheelchair belts, bottle openers, incontinence bedding, non slip mats, electric recliner trial, walking reconditioning, transfer out of bed aids, and breath control practice.

Wonderful to work with a larger population of seniors in the community and looking forward to meeting more of you and enabling your lives for quality living.