According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of three seniors will fall this year, but less than half of them will tell their doctors about it. Falls are the leading cause of injuries in seniors and often result in hip fractures, cuts, and severe head and brain injuries that can be fatal. After falling, many seniors are so frightened that they avoid activities they once enjoyed out of fear of falling again. The majority of falls happen at home, making it imperative that you take steps to protect the safety of your senior loved one living at home. To help you do that, here are some simple steps you can take to prevent falls in the home.
Clean up clutter
This is perhaps the easiest way to prevent falls. Remove stacks of old newspapers and magazines, especially from staircases and hallways. This also includes footstools and extension cords placed where people walk.
Make needed repairs and remove tripping hazards
Furnishing and accessories in the home often contribute to falls, leading to broken hips and other injuries. Check out every room in the house carefully, looking for things like loose carpet, wood floorboards sticking up, and slippery throw rugs. Repair, remove or replace those items immediately.
Install grab bars and handrails
These safety devices prevent many falls and injuries when installed correctly in stairways, hallways, and especially the bathroom. Make sure you have them by bathtubs, showers, and toilets so seniors can move carefully around slippery surfaces often found in the bathroom.
Avoid loose-wearing clothing
Though they’re very comfortable, baggy clothes often lead to trips and falls. Instead, choose clothes that fit well and are properly hemmed, and don’t drag on the ground or bunch up.
Have adequate lighting
Poor lighting is a significant hazard for seniors. Install brighter light bulbs, particularly in narrow hallways and on stairways. Add night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for seniors who are up and about during the night.
Make shoes mandatory
Going around the house in just socks is very comfortable, but it increases the risk of slipping. Wearing shoes is preferable, but non-stick socks also work well.
Make it non-slip
Tubs and showers, as well as floors in bathrooms and kitchens, become very dangerous when wet. Install non-slip mats to prevent falls in these rooms where most falls occur.
Live on one level
Even with precautions like handrails and guardrails, stairs are a significant falling hazard. If possible, have your senior live on one level or try to limit their trips up and downstairs.
Pause between sitting and standing
Many aging adults get dizzy moving from a sitting to a standing position and vice versa. Have your loved ones take their time rising and sitting, and also have them pause for a moment before going up or downstairs.
Taking these steps can substantially reduce the chances of a fall and serious injury to your loved one.
Seniors Prefer Homecare, serving Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, helps seniors age safely in place and continue to enjoy the comforts of home. Our professional caregivers are carefully selected and trained to ensure our clients’ safety.
Call us today at (866) 417-1194 for more information about the many services we provide seniors in our area. We’re dependable and affordable. Learn more here.