Falls are a leading cause of injury and illness for seniors. In fact, 40 percent of all nursing home admissions are attributed to falls at home, and 70 percent of accidental deaths in people over the age of 75 are the result of falls.
Many of these falls are preventable and could have been avoided if appropriate changes had been made around the home.
Eyesight, balance, and mobility all decrease with age, and seniors become more susceptible to bumping into things, tripping, missing stairs, and losing balance. Here are some precautions you can take to help prevent falls in the home:
This might mean creating a ground level living space to eliminate the need for climbing stairs, installing a chair lift if it isn’t possible to remain on one level, installing ramps, and replacing old tubs with a walk-in shower.
Adequate lighting is essential as people age and vision deteriorates, especially in hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Consider using bright rope lights under kitchen or bathroom cabinets or in dark hallways. Replace fluorescent bulbs with bright LEDs.
Pay special attention to stairways—if no outlets are nearby, use battery-operated, motion-sensing nightlights. If manual dexterity is an issue, replace traditional light switches with easier-to-use rocker switches.
Can items in cabinets be reached without straining or climbing? Do throw rugs slide or curl up at the corners? Are the countertops the proper height? Does the house contain uneven floors or step-downs in unexpected places?
If modifications are necessary, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist can suggest cost-effective ways to make the home safer for elderly residents.
Taking steps to make a home more senior-friendly can pay dividends in the long run. Contact us if you would like a free home safety inspection. Find more tips in our Home Safety Checklist.
Additional Reading
National Aging in Place Council: http://www.ageinplace.org/
