Keeping Your Paws on Solid Ground: Preventing Falls Around Our Pets
Welcome to the first Standing Strong NC blog post, brought to you by the NC Fall Prevention Coalition. Here, we're all about giving you helpful tips and info on preventing falls, staying independent and standing strong! We hope this first one will be helpful for you or someone you love, no matter how old or young!
In this post, we will talk about something important: how having pets (even the super cute ones) can sometimes lead to falls. You might not realize it, but having a furry friend can bring lots of joy and also some risks. Research shows that being around animals can be good for your health as you get older. But did you know that every year, about 86,000 people in the U.S. end up in the ER because they fell while with their pets? Most of these accidents involve dogs. Falls are especially dangerous for older adults and can even be deadly.
But don't worry! If you want to keep living at home with your pet safely, we've got some tips to help. We'll share some easy tips and resources to help you make your home safer for both you and your furry friend. Let's make sure every wagging tail and purring buddy makes your home happy and safe!
What are Falls, and Why Do They Matter?
If you're here on the Standing Strong NC Website, chances are you've thought about falling before. Falls can be serious and life-threatening at any age, but especially for people 65 and older. Shockingly, 1 in 4 adults 65 and older experience a fall every single day, and tragically, 4 adults aged 65 and older lost their lives to falls daily in 2022 (N.C. DPH: IVP Branch: Falls Injury Data, 2024).
Now, what counts as a fall?
Well, it's defined as "an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground floor or other level” (World Health Organization). In simpler terms, it's losing our balance and landing on something other than our feet without intending to! However, here's the kicker: falls are NOT a normal part of aging. In fact, most falls are preventable.
Staying Steady - Tips for Aging in Place with Pets
A study published in January in JAMA Network Open examined nearly 8,000 older adults and discovered that for those living alone, having a pet was associated with a slower decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory and verbal skills.
A survey done by AARP showed that nearly 9 in 10 owners say that pets help them enjoy life and feel loved, while nearly 8 in 10 say that pets help reduce stress.
However, while pets can bring joy and companionship to older adults, they can also pose risks to their physical health, particularly regarding falls. Therefore, ensuring pet safety is crucial for the well-being of both adults and their furry (or hairless) companions. In this article, we'll discuss important steps to create a safe environment for pets while minimizing fall risks for their owners.
Step One: Assess the Home Environment
Begin by doing a home walkthrough to identify hazards for you and your pets. Try to answer these questions:
Are there any loose rugs or slippery surfaces that could increase the risk of falls for both myself and my pet?
Are there any obstacles or cluttered areas that could get in my way and contribute to tripping hazards for me or my pet?
Is there enough lighting in places where I am likely to be with my pet (outside, inside, near where they play, sleep and eat)?
Here are some tips courtesy of the NC Fall Prevention Coalition:
Clean up spills around pet bowls quickly to avoid slips.
Keep areas where a pet is likely to sleep, play, or eat well-lit.
Use nightlights to make it easier to see in dark areas to help you see your pets.
Step Two: Observe your pet's behavior
Consider these questions:
Does my pet often dart or run unpredictably around the house, potentially causing me to lose balance or trip?
Does my pet frequently go in between my legs or underfoot, increasing the risk of accidental tripping or falling?
Does my pet frequently pull or resist the leash?
Here are some tips:
Discourage pets from lying next to your bed at night or at the foot of chairs.
Add a bell to your pet's collar to know when it is near.
If your pet is large or powerful enough to push or pull you over, (especially if it decides to chase a squirrel!) ask for help walking it or consider obedience classes to teach proper leash behavior.
Don’t try to step over pets on the floor - make them move.
Check around you to see where your pets are before walking, especially on steps and near doorways.
Print/Save the Pet Safety Sheet Here. Post it on your fridge and share with friends and neighbors.
Step Three: Increase Balance with Fall Prevention Programs and Exercises
Evidence-based programs to prevent falls are available throughout NC, such as A Matter of Balance and Tai Chi. These programs are data-driven and specifically designed to improve balance and stability. There are also online resources to help you continue to stand strong as you age.
Explore more resources on the Standing Strong NC website to find information about programs, home safety, and tips to stay strong, steady, and independent.
Remember, falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and with the right precautions, you can continue to enjoy the companionship of your beloved pets while Standing Strong and independent!
Don’t wait - make your home safer for you and your beloved pets.
Download the Pet Safety Sheet and ensure every wagging tail and purring buddy adds to the happiness and safety of our homes.
Thank you to Kristina Wolfe, PT, and member of the NC Falls Prevention Coalition Steering Committee for creating this flyer.
Looking for more resources and support? Check out the links below!
Standing Strong NC- Exercise Resources
Standing Strong NC- Home Safety Checklist
By Amber Chapman, NC Center for Health and Wellness