Preventing Falls At Home

“East or west…home is best.” Although most people prefer to remain in the familiar surroundings of their own homes, home can be a hazardous place for an older person to live.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over 12,000 older adults die from falls at home each year and more than 1.6 million people over 65 need emergency medical treatment for fall-related injuries. The good news is that many in-home falls can often be prevented with a few adaptations to the home environment.

Some suggestions:

Living Room

• Arrange furniture to create a clear path to avoid a fall
• Store papers, books, magazines on shelves or in boxes
• Replace worn carpets; remove throw rugs
• Tape or coil wires and extension cords for phones and lamps next to the wall to prevent falls.
• Install additional outlets when needed
• Choose chairs with armrests. They can help your parent get in and out of a chair without losing her balance
• Replace burned out light bulbs in all rooms promptly.

Stairs & Hallways

Cluttered stairways are a major cause of falls in older people.

Prevent falls on stairs:

• Keep stairs clear of shoes, books and other objects.
• Make sure stairs and hallways are well-lit.
• Install nightlights at the top and bottom of stairs
• Repair or remove carpeting on steps that is loose or torn
• Repair loose handrails. Install rails on both sides of steps.
• Install light switches at the top and bottom of stairs

Kitchen

Kitchens offer a variety of situations that may result in a fall.

To prevent a fall:

• Store cups, glasses, plates, silverware and other frequently-used items on easy-to-reach lower shelves.
• Have pot holders and hot pads near the stove
• Keep kitchen work areas clear of clutter
• Store knives in a knife rack on a drawer or countertop
• Mop up spills on the floor promptly to prevent slips or falls

Bathrooms

• Put a non-skid mat or adhesive strips on slippery bathtub or shower floors to prevent falls
• Install grab bars on walls near the bathtub and toilet
• Provide adequate lighting and a light switch near the door
• A nightlight can help your older relative find the bathroom at night.
• Install a seat in the tub/shower area if your parent has difficulty standing
• Arrange clean towels, washcloths, soap and shampoo on racks or shelves close to the tub that are easy to reach
• Make sure towel bars and soap dishes are installed firmly in place. Your parent may hold onto them to maintain balance
• Install a raised toilet seat to make it easier to get on and off the toilet.

Bedroom

• Make it easy for your parent to find a light at night by placing a lamp on each side of the bed.
• Have a flashlight and extra batteries handy in case electric power goes out.
• Provide a table or nightstand large enough to hold a phone, glasses, tissues, a book or a few magazines, clock and a good reading lamp.
• A nightlight can help your relative locate the bathroom
• Install a telephone or have a cell phone and charger handy

Outdoor Areas

• Make sure steps have sturdy handrails, sidewalks are in good condition and are well-lit at night.
• Ask a family member, neighbor or friend to remove ice and snow from your parent's steps, sidewalks and driveway. A handful of rock salt will help keep steps clear of ice.
• Test garage doors for ease of operation. An older person may fall if the door is difficult to open
• Make sure lights in the garage are working. Install new light bulbs when necessary.

The Role of Families in Fall Prevention

Talk with your relative about possible changes that can be made to make his home safer and listen to any other ideas to improve his personal living space he may have. With the help and advice of your older parent you and other family members can help make your relative's home a safe, comfortable place that he or she will enjoy living in.