Falling can be painful, but for seniors, the results can be devastating, including hip fractures, which can then bring on a broad number of health concerns. As many as 25% of all older adults who experience a fractured hip lose their lives within six months of the injury. As disturbing as this statistic is, it’s important to know there are steps that can be taken to decrease senior fall risks and also to prevent serious injuries in the home.
Making a couple of simple modifications to your loved one’s home will make a world of difference in enhancing safety. Here are some easy home alteration recommendations from our home health experts to decrease senior fall risks:
• Lighting:
- Replace light bulbs throughout the home on a routine basis to make sure there is sufficient lighting in the senior’s home
- Make use of nightlights or motion detector lights to boost visibility during the night
- Ensure no electrical cords are stretched across walking areas
• Floors:
- Use low pile carpet or slip-proof tile
- Remove for all throw rugs, or ensure they’ve been firmly secured with non-slip tape
- Use contrasting colors for paint, furniture and carpeting to signify changes in surface types or levels
- Avoid using floor polish or wax
• Bathroom:
- Install grab bars around the tub and next to the toilet, making sure they are strong enough to support an adult’s full weight
- Place slip-proof strips or mats inside and outside of the tub
- Purchase and install a wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser for the shower
- Use a portable, hand-held shower head
- Add a padded shower or bath seat
Additionally, there are a number of other products available that can help in reducing fall risk at home, for example:
- Door Alarms: If the senior tends to wander, especially during the night, door alarms enable you or the senior’s caregiver to realize that she or he is moving about and could possibly be at risk.
- Monitoring Systems: Monitoring systems track a senior’s movements in the home. Sensors are situated through the entire home, and some even include calling capabilities so the older adult can alert a caregiver if a fall or other emergency has occurred.
- Safer Footwear: Fall management footwear features rubber grips in the bottom to stop slipping, and are perfect for seniors who are at a greater risk for falls. You can also find waterproof, slip-resistant socks which can be worn in the tub or shower.
- Bedrails: Many falls occur during the night as seniors move around in their sleep or get up to go to an alternate room. Bedrails can prevent seniors from falling out of bed and also provide something to grab onto when standing up to get out of bed.
With many seniors choosing to age in place instead of moving to an assisted living facility, it is imperative to make the home as safe as you possibly can. Compassionate Care Home Health Services, providers of home and dementia care in Saginaw and the surrounding areas, is here to help with professional in-home care services that will lessen senior fall risk and enhance safety. Reach out to us at 877.308.1212 today!