Patient/caregiver was educated on fall safety and precautions for gouty arthritis patients as follows:
- Maintain the floor dry. Any wetness of the floor can contribute to slipping, loss of balance, and fall injury. Avoid having any fluids spill on the floor. Get caregiver assistance immediately to mop the floor dry, in the event of a spill. Considering vinyl flooring or cork flooring for bathroom can offer safe non-slip options. Using a nonskid rubber mat in the shower can help avoid falls & accidents.
- Wear comfortable clothes when using assistive devices. Loose and frizzy clothing on the lower body can get entangled with the legs of the device, compromise balance, and lead to fall.
- Make sure the carpet in the house is evenly spread and secured. Uneven carpet with bumpy contour can impair balance and contribute to increased fall risk. Avoid having any throw rugs in the house, especially the bedroom and bathroom. The stiffness in the extremities can lead to risk of legs getting caught up in the throw rug, thus precipitating a fall.
- Morning stiffness in the joints can compromise balance and trigger a fall in arthritis patients. Individuals with arthritis must plan ahead for body movements to avert falls and accidents. Maintaining the warmth inside the house and workplaces by turning heater on to comfort level can help counter the stiffness in arthritic joints.
