Preventing Falls at Home

This autumn, join Team Select in preventing falls at home in recognition of Fall Prevention Awareness Week (September 18-22). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults in the United States, age 65 and older, report a fall each year, making fall prevention more important than ever for your elderly loved ones.

If you need help determining where to begin preventing falls at home, here’s a handy tip: let’s break it down room by room. Start by examining your bathrooms, peek at your living areas, and assess the kitchen’s accessibility.

By adopting this approach, we can dive into each space keenly, focusing on vital areas such as bathrooms, living rooms, and the kitchen. This way, we can pinpoint opportunities for thoughtful adjustments that not only improve accessibility but also create a safer environment throughout your home.

1. Remove tripping hazards and ensure all stairs/ramps have handrails

As mentioned, let’s stroll through each room of your home and pay extra attention to your pathways. The key here is decluttering and tidying up. Get rid of any unnecessary items and those pesky cords that might be lurking around. This simple step can go a long way in maintaining a safe environment for everyone, especially elderly individuals with visual impairments.

Let’s talk about stairs because they can be a bit tricky. It’s essential to have handrails on both sides of any staircase and, most importantly, ensure they are firmly secured. Whether you’re going up or down the stairs, grabbing those handrails is a good practice, even if you’re carrying something.

Team Select tips in preventing falls at home

2. Install lighting

Brightening up everyday pathways and introducing convenient, portable lighting options for nighttime strolls can be a game-changer in fall prevention. Picture this: battery-powered bedside lights and gentle night lights strategically placed in your bathrooms and hallways. Team Select recommends having these trusty companions on hand for those late-night journeys.

3. Let’s talk Bathrooms…grab bars and toilet modifications!

Preventing falls in the bathroom is important, especially for elderly individuals with mobility issues. One way to improve bathroom safety is by installing grab bars around the bathtub, shower, and toilet areas. Grab bars provide a reliable grip and help maintain balance, reducing the risk of slipping on wet surfaces. Another way you can prevent falls at home is by adding non-slip mats in the shower or bath to improve traction for your elderly loved ones.

For additional tips and tricks for fall prevention, check out the below resources: