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For elderly individuals, falls are the leading cause of injuries. Whether it occurs as a result of tripping over a loose cord or slippery flooring, these falls can lead to injuries — both minor and serious.
Many falls can take place in your own home, the place where people feel the most comfortable. In the aftermath of a fall, seniors might — understandably — fear suffering another fall. This can cause them to avoid particular activities or be less active and mobile than they used to be. However, it does not need to be this way.
Making a home safer to prevent falls might seem like a daunting task, but it’s not. There are simple measures you can take to reduce falling risks. If you take the necessary precautions, then you can help with elderly fall prevention in your loved one’s home.
1.Clean the Home
If your home is cluttered, then it can be easy for anyone to trip, fall, and injure themselves. So, the first step you should take to prevent falls at home is to clean the place. Put items in their proper place or find a place to store contents if they do not have somewhere to be kept. Throw away or donate what you can if you come across items you do not need or no longer want.
2.Add Adequate Lighting
If a home doesn’t have good lighting, then the risk of falling is higher. You can easily have trouble seeing where you are going in badly lit places. Even if seniors are familiar with their home and its layout, just one misstep can cause a bad fall that results in serious injuries.
Knowing this, make sure your elderly loved one has enough lighting in their home, especially in hallways and stairwells. Add more lamps and other light fixtures or replace existing light bulbs with brighter ones. Additionally, consider adding nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and stairwells so seniors still have a light source at night.
3.Eliminate Tripping Hazards
Another simple way to prevent falls at home is to eliminate tripping hazards. Electrical cords and throw rugs can easily lead to a fall, so be sure to get them out of the way. Tuck loose cords away and along the wall so that they do not stick out. If seniors want to keep their throw rugs, make sure they are secured with rug grips, tape, or padding.
To learn more, check out our Safety Checklist For Seniors Who Live Alone
4.Install Handrails and Grab Bars
Handrails and grab bars provide extra stability in places where seniors might be more prone to falls. For example, handrails are often installed in stairwells to provide people with something to hold on to as they go up and down the stairs, limiting the potential for falls. Additionally, adding grab bars in the bathroom next to the toilet and in the tubs/shower will help seniors more safely use the restroom. Bathroom grab bars can be especially helpful, because the water used when bathing and showering creates slippery surfaces.
Learn about The Different Types of Shower Rails and Bathroom Grab Bars for the Elderly
5.Add Non-Slip Matting
Non-slip mats are a good idea to add in rooms and areas where the floor is prone to becoming wet or is naturally slippery. The mats will provide some traction to combat that and can be beneficial in tubs and showers.
To learn more, read Bath Products For The Elderly
6.Wear Shoes with Good Traction
Similar to how non-slip mats provide traction on otherwise slippery surfaces, shoes can also prevent falls so long as they have good traction. That said, consider investing in a pair of sensible house shoes for your elderly loved one to wear around the home.
If your senior relatives are against the house shoes idea and prefer socks, make sure they wear non-slip socks. These socks have grips on the soles that provide traction.
Elderly Care from Assisting Hands Home Care
If you have an elderly loved one who lives at home alone, then it is only natural for you to worry about their safety and well-being. Your concern for them may even increase if they recently suffered a fall at home. In such a situation, Assisting Hands Home Care can help through the professional elderly care services we provide in Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, and the surrounding areas in Lake County, Illinois.
Within these services, our professional caregivers will provide non-medical home health care. We can help with daily routines, restroom use, transfer assistance, and other activities of daily living (ADLs). Additionally, we can provide help with everyday tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, and errands.
Our care plans are customized to meet your loved one’s specific care needs, which ensure they get the exact help they need to live a safe and healthy life at home. So, if your elderly relative is prone to falls, elderly fall prevention can be a part of the care plan.
With our professional non-medical home health care, the seniors in your life will have the help and elderly fall prevention they need to feel safe and comfortable at home. Call us at (224) 268-9068 for your free in-home consultation.
