Are you or a loved one at risk of falling inside there home? Is your home really as safe as you think? If these questions take you a minute to answer or if you have never even thought about fall proofing your home before, then you may be at risk of falling inside your home and suffering a catastrophic injury.
According to the CDC 1 and 3 seniors 65 and over will fall this year, and nearly half of all seniors over the age of 85 will experience a fall this year. The scariest of all stats is that Falls are the leading cause of both Fatal and Non-Fatal injuries in seniors over the age of 65. Nearly 800,000 seniors are hospitalize every year because of a slip and fall. And the truth is that a majority of these falls could have been avoided!
In this article we will cover the 5 best ways to lower you or a loved ones risk of falling inside there home. These ways include installation of standing and sitting aids, improve lighting, removal of hazards inside the home, installation of access ramps, and securing carpets.
Installation of Standing Aids and Sitting Aids
The majority of all falls happen while attempting to stand or sit down in the bathroom, living room, or bedroom. By installing grab bars next to the toilet, and inside the shower or bath tub you are greatly reducing your risk of falling. A grab bar allows you to use your arms to help you stand up or sit down, by using your arms to help you balance and not only relying on your legs you are greatly reducing your risk of a fall.
Falls are extremely common inside the bedroom, and most falls happen when an individuals rolls off the bed. The installation of a bed rail is highly recommended for individuals that are at a high risk of falling off the bed. A bed rail provides a structural barrier all but completely removing the risk of a fall.
The living room is another high risk area for a fall to happen. Many seniors find it extremely difficult to stand or sit down on a sofa, chair, or love seat. By installing a lift chair, or a retractable security pole the risk of a fall is greatly reduced.
Improve Lighting
Many falls happen in the middle of the night when individuals get up to go to the bathroom, or kitchen. Hallways become dark dangerous pathways when night time rolls around, without the ability to see many seniors become disoriented and the chance of a fall greatly increases. By adding glow in the dark switches covers, door knob covers, and plug able night lights throughout the house the risk of falling is greatly reduced.
Securing Carpets and Rugs
Area rugs and other small rugs that are laid on the floor are a major fall hazard. Either get rid of these rugs completely or secure the rugs to the floor.
Removal of Hazards Inside The Home
When fall proofing a home you should always look to remove as much clutter as possible. This includes small tables, chairs, dog beds, and any other objects that are deemed a fall hazard.Also all phone and tv cords should be secured and never allowed to hang down on the floor. Another major hazard is where two different types of floors meet such as carpet and tile. Any flooring intersection should be secured with a threshold, and any raised flooring should be immediately repaired.
Installation of Access Ramps
For many seniors the most dangerous part of there day is entering or leaving there home. If you or a loved ones home has front stairs and they have difficulty walking up and down the stairs an access ramp should be installed. Access ramps come in different lengths and widths. The front door of many homes is also a high risk area for falls, the installation of a threshold ramp is highly recommended to reduce the risk of a fall.
By taking these 5 steps and knowing where the most hazardous part of your home are you could greatly reduce the risks of you or a love one falling and suffering a catastrophic injury. A slip and fall can happen to anyone but by incorporating these 5 steps the risk of one happening to you or a loved one is greatly reduced!
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