Home > Seniors Accommodations and Elder Care > In Home Health Care > Home Modification > Preventing Falls

Preventing Falls

If you want to stay in your own home for as long as possible. . . You certainly do not want to fall and risk an injury. Most serious falls occur in and around the home, and can be life-changing. To help maintain your independence, it’s important to understand the ways you can protect yourself from falls. Some simple precautions can ensure safety and reduce your risk of falling at home.

Have you done a safety check in your own home recently? This brochure will help you understand what to do to prevent falls around your home, empowering you to live independently as long as possible. Several organizations can assist you in learning about falls prevention in your home, such as your local Area Agency on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Center, and Indian tribal organizations. Contact the Eldercare Locator at 800.677.1116 or www.eldercare.gov to identify these resources in your area.

If you are a low-income homeowner who cannot afford to make necessary changes to your home, there may be a Rebuilding Together affiliate near you that can help; go to www.rebuildingtogether.org to learn about repairs and modifications to your home and Rebuilding Together’s affiliates.

A Checklist For Preventing

Stairways

Make sure all handrails are not broken and are securely fastened.
Both sides of the steps should have handrails.

Floors and rugs

Make sure all floor boards are even and rugs, including area rugs, are secured to the floor with tacks, non-skid pads or double-sided tape.
Use non-skid floor wax.

Bathroom

Buying Safety Equipment

We can help you find the safety equipment you are looking for in our Senior's Shop's Safety Equipment department. Get the safety equipment necessary to make your life easier and safer. We realy appreciate your business! Thank you.

Be sure that you can move safely in bathroom area, and in and out of the tub or shower.
Remove soap build-up in tub or shower on a regular basis.
Place non-slip strips in bath/shower.
Install adjustable height shower heads.
Mount grab bars at the toilet, bath and shower on walls with secure reinforcements, to prevent the bars from coming loose.
Secure bath mats with non-slip, double-sided rug tape.

Kitchen

Items that you use frequently, such as dishes and food items, should be easy to reach.
If you have to use a step stool, make sure that it has a bar at the top to hold on to.

Falls in Your Home

Lighting

Place nightlights in hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms, and stairways.
Install light switches at the top and bottom of stairs.
Place a lamp (and telephone) near your bed.
Keep lighting uniform in each room and add lighting to dark spaces.

All Rooms

Check whether hallways and rooms have obstacles to safe movement.
Move newspapers, boxes, electrical and phone cords, plants, and furniture out of traffic areas.
Store clothing, bed coverings, and other household items where you can reach them comfortably.

Outside of your home

Repair holes, uneven joints on walkways.
Arrange to have leaves, snow, and ice removed from stairs and walkways. Use salt or sand throughout the winter months.
Make sure outside lighting is working in entryways and other walk areas.
Check that handrails are not broken and are securely fastened. Both sides of steps should have handrails.

Other Essential Steps for Protecting Yourself Against Falls

Assessing your home to identify fall hazards and making the necessary changes to prevent them are significant steps. It’s also very important to:

Ask your physician or pharmacist about the effects of the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking. Some medications can cause dizziness or light-headedness that can lead to falls. As people age, the effects of medications may change.
Be sure to have your eyes checked every year. Vision problems can cause falls.
Check with your physician about the physical activity and exercise appropriate for you. Stay as physically active as you can. Exercise helps to prevent falls, especially activities that enhance balance and coordination.
Be careful in choosing shoes as they can cause you to trip. The soles should be non-slip and not too thick.

Source: www.eldercare.gov

You Get Help 24/7 with a push of a medical alert button for seniors living home alone.

Menu

Popular Information