How To reduce fall risk in Senior’s home

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a significant concern for the seniors. As per these data, more than one in four older individuals falls each year. Furthermore, once a senior experiences a fall, his chance of falling again doubles. Given these statistics, eveyone need to be vigilant about his seniors’ risk of falling and implement some actions to reduce it.

The reasons behind these falls are multifaceted, with some attributable to the physical health and weaknesses associated with aging, and others to the environments in which elderly live. Aspects of the home’s set-up, such as slippery floors or stairs without handgrips, can pose hazards.

To protect seniors from falls, easy prevention strategies exist. These can be divided into three primary categories: the creation of a safe living environment, the provision of appropriate aid devices and preventions related to the senior himself.

How To Reduce Senior’s Fall Risk in home:

Slip Prevention:

• Keep your parent’s living spaces clear of clutter to prevent tripping hazards : for exemple remove throw rugs, electrical cords, and other objects that could cause someone to trip or fall
• Use double-sided tape for small throw rugs to keep them from slipping or consider removing them entirely.
• Install non-slip mats, especially in the bathroom.
• If there are carpets, ensure they are firmly attached to the floor, and consider no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors.
• Keep outdoor spaces clean and free of debris. Consider using an ice melt product or sand on walkways during winter.
• Remind your parent about the danger of walking on freshly washed, slippery floors.
• Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower.

Support and Stability:

• Ensure there are handrails on both sides of staircases, and that they’re well-lit.
• Arrange furniture in a way that provides clear walkways.
• Consider a shower seat to provide added stability during bathing.
• Adjust the height of furniture like sofas and chairs to make it easier for your parent to sit and stand.
• Use contrasting colors or safety tape on stairs for better visibility and safety. Consider removing carpets.
• Make sure that your senior parent does not drink alcohool.

Lighting and Visibility:

• Make sure light switches are conveniently located
• Ensure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and on each end of a long hall
• Ensure his home has good lighting, lightweight curtains or shades can help reduce glare.
• Leave a light on in the bathroom during the night. Night lights can also be helpful.
• You can also consider using motion-activated lights to help illuminate stairwells and pathways.

Trip Prevention:

• Ensure your parent wears well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles and avoid high heels, floppy slippers, and shoes with slick soles.
• Arrange the furniture to make clear pathways for walking.
• De-clutter your home to prevent tripping or knocking into things
• Check that his clothing fits well and is properly hemmed so it doesn’t bunch up or drag on the ground.
• Keep frequently used items within easy reach to avoid the need for climbing or stretching.
• Ensure that all wires are tucked against the walls to prevent tripping over them. Secure them so that they are out of the walkways
• If stairs become risky for your parent, consider installing a stairlift, or install your parent to one floor

Standing Balance:

This is something that many forget to think about. Many seniors need some support to stand up without falling.

• Learn the correct standing assistance technique such as positioning your arm under his arms to provide support or other techniques caregivers can advice you.
• Install or provide standing help devices : lift chairs, canes, grab bars, bed standing aids are all good to help senior standing up. Talk to your caregiver about the best option for your senior

Medical Consultation:

• Review with your senior’s doctor if the types of medication he is taking might affect his coordination or balance, or cause dizziness, confusion, or sleepiness
• Ensure regular eye and foot checkups. Updated eyeglasses or correct footwear can make a big difference.
• Encourage your parent to discuss his risk of falling and preventative strategies with his healthcare provider.
• Help him regularly review all his medications, including over-the-counter ones, as some can cause drowsiness or dizziness.
• Discuss taking vitamin D supplements with his healthcare provider to improve bone, muscle, and nerve health.
• Discuss suitable exercise programs with his healthcare provider to prevent them from becoming weak from a lack of physical activity.

Be Prepared in Case of a Fall with these Measures:

• Place a flashlight by your parent’s bed for emergencies.
• Ensure that a well-charged mobile phone is easily accessible with emergency contacts.
• Keep flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.
• Consider investing in a personal emergency response system (PERS). These devices can be worn around the neck or wrist and feature a button that can be pressed to call for help.
• Teach your parent how to get up safely after a fall, or to make themselves comfortable and call for help if they cannot get up.
• Ensure that your parent knows important phone numbers by heart or has a list of them nearby at all times.
• Consider having a first aid kit easily accessible.
• If your parent lives alone, have a daily check-in system via phone call or text message to make sure they are okay.
• Keep a list of all medical conditions, medications, allergies, and surgeries your parent has had, along with their doctor’s contact information, easily accessible in case of emergencies.

More Helpful Resources for Seniors Fall Prevention:

• NIH presents many advices that will prevent falls by home room
• CDC prevent from falling brochure
• NIH infograpfic to help prevent seniors from falling :
  
• how you can prevent falls, check out some of our online STEADI resources for older adults ( Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries ).
• National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications
• Falls Prevention Awareness and Public Transportation Brochure
• Eldercare Locator
• Falls Prevention Awareness and Public Transportation Brochure
• The Safest Way to Get Up From a Fall By American Association of Retired Persons
• Fall Risk Assessment