With age comes wisdom, but also increased new risks and complications that one is now exposed to as well, particularly the risk of falling and possible injury. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control states that the risk of falling increases with each decade of life, and that each year one in every three adults age 65 or older will experience a fall. In addition, two million seniors are treated in emergency rooms for injuries due to these falls each year. Falling can be detrimental to a senior as it can limit their independence, often requiring an admission to a nursing home due to injuries, or requiring constant care at home, thus potentially decreasing one’s quality of life.
There are many steps you can take to help ensure your risk of falling is as minimal as possible. It is crucial to take the proper measures towards fall prevention to be sure your home is safe for you to navigate. According to the National Institute of Health, six out of every ten falls occurs at home, where we feel comfortable and less concerned about safety.
To prep your home for fall prevention, arrange your furniture so that you do not need to maneuver around it to move from one room to another. Remove as many throw rugs as possible, and secure the ones that remain to the floor with double-sided tape or non-slip backing. Do not leave any clutter on your floors, including boxes, clothes, shoes, wires and cords, trash, plants, and small decorative objects. Repair loose floorboards, and remove door sills that are higher than half an inch. Ensure that your home is properly lit and that there are plenty of light switches available. There should be multiple ones for the same light sources if needed; at multiple entrances to each room if they exist, and at both the top and bottom of staircases. Fix any loose or broken handrails, as well as loose or uneven steps.
Bathrooms are one of the most crucial areas in your home to examine with a critical eye: because of the obvious nature of a bathroom to be wet and slippery, the risk for falling is significantly increased in this room, versus any other in your home. You should install non-slip bath mats, or secure existing bath mats with waterproof sealing tape. Mount handle bars at the toilet and shower, and ensure that they are secure and not wobbly. This will greatly decrease the risk of falling while entering your shower, and especially while exiting when surfaces tend to be moist and extra slippery. Install adjustable height shower heads that can make what seemed like a difficult task an everyday independence once again.
Have someone regularly sweep, mow, and take care of the yard outside the home to clear away leaves and dirt that can present a risk upon arriving or leaving. Repair damaged walkways and sidewalks, and check to be sure that any porch rails or stairs are not loose or wobbly.
Other routine precautions toward fall prevention should be taken to ensure your mobility is safe and preserved for as long as possible. Regular eye check-ups are a must. Vision problems are a leading cause for falling, and you should ensure you have the proper prescriptions needed to maintain proper eyesight. Speak with your doctor concerning any medications you take, and make sure you understand the possible symptoms of all. Can any of your medications cause dizziness? Should they only be taken at night or when sitting/ lying down? With food? Educating yourself with this knowledge can only set you up for success. Exercise is also very important. Find something you enjoy that focuses on increasing flexibility and balance, such as yoga, to provide your body with the extra support it needs to hold itself up strong.
Purchase comfortable, padded shoes that support your feet properly and help you to maintain correct posture. Also, today’s technological advances present us with many additional opportunities for prolonged independence. Consider equipping your home with a fall detection sensor, which uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine your position and measure changes in your movement and direction. You may also purchase a medical alert bracelet, which contacts immediate assistance for you at the push of button.
By taking these steps to make sure your home is a safe environment, conducive to moving about with ease, and being aware of your health and body, you can decrease the risk of falling in your own home drastically, and therefore retain the level of independence you desire and deserve.
At Eldercare Services, we have a home fall prevention checklist available for you to download, in order to efficiently identify hazards within your home environment, with solid instructions for how to fix them. Click here!
If you have concerns about the safety or mobility of yourself or a loved one, please contact us at Eldercare Services. We would love to help by assessing your home environment, and putting together an expert plan of action and resources to keep you and your loved ones safe and comfortable at home.