Each year millions of adults over the age of 65 suffer a fall, and many end up sustaining serious injuries that negatively impact their functioning, mobility, and quality of life. In some situations, such as a broken hip, the injury could put them at increased risk of death.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in the United States. According to statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 35-40% of people over 65 years of age seek medical attention resulting from a fall at least once a year.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 6 out of every 10 falls happens in the home. This means it is in your best interest to ensure your or your parent’s home is as safe as it can possibly be. While fall risks cannot be completely eliminated, a few practical steps can be taken to minimize those risks in the home.
Falls can happen under the best of conditions, but risks can be eliminated by using common sense and a bit of planning. Use the tips below or download this excellent Safety Checklist from the CDC to help reduce fall risks for you or your elderly parent.
- Install Grab Bars. Grab bars are a very simple and unobtrusive tool that can be installed throughout the home to give more control over mobility and the ability to navigate. They provide more independence while also reducing the need for physical assistance. Grab bars offer more support than random items that may be grabbed that are unstable or unable to handle the weight.
- Improved Lighting. Dark areas of the home make it harder to detect potential hazards like corners of furniture, steps, runs, or stray items on the floor. Lighting should be easy to turn on, with a switch, to prevent entering a dark room.
- Add Night Lights. This is a great tip for every household and prevents stumbling around in the dark. They can illuminate hallways and stairs and should be placed in paths you would normally take at night, like to the restroom or kitchen.
- Remove Tripping Hazards. This seems like common sense, but often what you think might not be a tripping hazard could in fact be one for a senior. Walkways should be clear of cords, pet toys, beds, or bowls, and other hazards. Rugs are one of the biggest hazards if they can flip or move. Consider using rug tape to secure them or removing them altogether. There should be clear, open, and easily accessible pathways in all rooms and halls.
- Wear Proper Footwear. Going barefoot or in just socks is not ideal for the average senior, even in their own home. Consider footwear, including slippers, that have supportive rubber-soled bottoms.
- Secure Stairways. Check for uneven or loose steps and repair them promptly. Steps should have non-slip surfaces as well. If they are carpeted, make sure it’s not loose or frayed. Wood steps should avoid being waxed or polished. Handrails should be sturdy and installed on both sides of the stairway.
- Check Chairs and Furniture. Evaluate chairs for sturdiness – do they have armrests that make it easy to stand back up. Furniture near walkways should be strong enough to support the weight of anyone who may need to stead themselves or stop a fall.
- Keep Things Organized. Ensuring regularly used items are placed where they can easily and safely be reached can prevent falls from using step stools or reaching. This is especially important in the kitchen, where many accidents happen. Avoid high shelves or difficult to reach cabinets for items that get used often.
- Adapt Bathrooms. These are one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Make sure bathmats aren’t slippery and that they have rubberized backings. Installing handrails near the toilet and in the shower can drastically prevent falls on damp floors or when stepping in and out of the tub. Consider adding a textualized bath/shower tape to slippery tub/shower floors.
- Wear Glasses When Needed. If you or an elderly parent need to wear glasses constantly, make sure that you do, and put them next to the bed or sitting areas when not in use for easy accessibility.
Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. Consider going one step further by adding daily or weekly exercises regimens such as yoga or physical therapy that can help reduce falls and improve your balance and flexibility.