I hate to admit it, but I’m a little clumsy – sometimes I get in too much of a hurry, and sometimes I just throw myself at the ground and miss. Fortunately, most of the time I can just pick up and dust off, but for older adults, falling is no laughing matter. Did you know that each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls?
As we get older, a fall can mean a serious injury resulting in hospitalization and a long recovery – but the good news is that many falls are very preventable. If you or your loved ones are striving to live independently, here are some simple tips to make home a little safer and help prevent a bad fall.
1. Have you ever noticed that your home is an obstacle course? Make sure that seniors have a clear walkway throughout every part of the house. Move furniture, cords, plant stands – any object that makes you swerve, step over or step around.
2. Take care that area rugs don’t slide or bunch up – either get rid of them, or secure them to the floor with a sticky backing or double sided tape.
3. Light it up! Older adults should not have to feel their way through the dark – replace light bulbs, use nightlights, and keep light switches and lamps within easy reach.
4. It’s ideal if the home is one level, but if mom’s house does have stairs, keep the steps well-maintained – no loose or uneven boards. Keep handrails secure and tight – and if the staircase doesn’t have rails, install them now.
5. Put the stepladder in storage and move hard-to-reach items down to eye level. Stools and ladders are just a bad idea, even if they seem rock-solid.
6. The bathroom gets an honorable mention here – we already know the bathroom is hazardous, with wet floors and hard edges everywhere. I’ll go ahead and remind you to put non-slip mats and safety strips in tubs and showers, and to install grab bars everywhere.
Even with good precautions, accidents can – and do – happen. It’s a good idea to have an alarm device handy. Alert Response offers the Personal Emergency Response Service (PERS), giving emergency help 24 hours a day with the push of a button. Above all, make sure everyone is patient and careful – that’s the best way to stay safe!
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