Survival tips

Do a home safety audit

Brain injuries can affect balance, stride, and judgment, leaving brain injury survivors at risk of falling.  

And falls are bad news.  They threaten health, with bumps, bruises, broken bones.  They also make people fearful of falling again, which can cause them to restrict their walking.  Ironically, this only increases their risk of a spill, since their muscles become deconditioned and weak.  Having restricted mobility can also lead to social isolation and depression.

So how do you opt out of this vicious circle of functional and psychological decline?  Obviously, get treatment for underlying problems--both physical therapy and medication, if needed.  

Then, if suitable, consider taking one of the classes designed to help with balance.  Or take up a physical activity--yoga, tai chi, exercise ball, for instance--that helps develop balance.

Finally, make prevention a priority.  Check your house for hazards:

Lighting

Because we get most of our balance feedback from our eyes, poor lighting affects balance.

• Are your halls and staircases well lit?  Stairs present a special tripping hazard, so double-check them.  Install additional lighting where safety hazards exist.

• Sometimes just increasing the strength of light bulb(s) used makes a real difference

• For places that are hard-to-reach, use long-life bulbs that require infrequent changing.

• Install night lights that lead from the bedroom to the bathroom.

• Consider using sensor-activated lights that turn on automatically when someone enters the room.

Tripping hazards

• Throw rugs can slip and slide, becoming a major hazard.  Only use throw rugs that are tightly woven and secure them to the floor with non-slip adhesive tape. Or live without.

• Never drape cords across rooms.  If necessary, add outlets to keep cords safely out of the way. 

• Remove doorway thresholds that might trip or hinder movement.

  • Reduce clutter.  In particular, be sure paths through rooms are and remain obstruction-free.

  • To make movement between rooms easier - especially if a cane or walker is used - consider installing

Seating

• Use chairs that are high enough to make rising easy.

• Arm chairs are especially good, because they allow the upper body to assist in rising. 

The bathroom

• Use non-slip mats on the floor and in the bath or shower.  Colored mats are easier for those with vision problems to see. 

• Make certain all appliances are safe, with no frayed cords, and located where they can not fall into the tub or sink.

• Since tubs may be difficult to step over, consider a swinging door variety...or a shower.

• Install grab bars wherever they might be useful.  You may be putting your full weight on these bars, so don't take chances - have them professionally installed.

Quick balance check

Don't do this test if you know you have weak balance.  Also, have someone stand by to help if you start to fall.  

To check your balance, simply  stand up and close your eyes.  The more you sway, the less reliable your balance and the greater your risk of falling.

Avoid battles of the will

Conflicts don't have to turn into fights.  Here are some tips on avoiding battles of the wills:

• Define the conflict.  Probe until you feel clear as to what the true problem is.

• Keep the lid on.  Problems tend to escalate and morph into new disputes.  Stay focused and keep the conflict confined.

• Devise a Plan.  Having the problem defined and limited, you are ready to look for solutions.  To be workable, your plan must take into account the wishes and concerns of all involved.

• Be reasonable.  This doesn't mean giving in.  It just means seeking and recognizing solutions that are mutually beneficial.  Be willing to settle for  less than everything you want.