VISITING ANGELS GASTONIA, NC 704-825-3350
Facebook YouTube X Instagram

10 Useful Tips To Fall-Proof Your Loved One's Home

Whether you’re in charge of providing elder care to your parent or relative or you hire a professional caregiver like the caregivers at Visiting Angels Gastonia, it’s important to make sure their surroundings are safe so they can avoid any risk associated with falling

Falls present a major health risk among the aging population. As a matter of fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related fatalities for seniors over 65 years of age. It is estimated that one in three senior Americans falls every year. Fall-related injuries can take a toll on a senior's independence as they can lead to the loss of mobility and reduced quality of life. For this reason, fall prevention should be taken very seriously.

Helping Your Senior Loved One Stay Safe

If you are concerned about Mom or Dad’s mobility, bellow you can find some useful fall-proofing advice compiled by elder care professionals:

  1. Many older adults tend to shuffle their feet while they walk. If your loved one shuffles, they can easily trip on cords, rugs, and thresholds, as well as any slightly uneven surfaces. To avoid this, elder care providers suggest securing carpet edges with anchored fixtures and replacing high-pile carpets with low-pile ones.
  2. As throw rugs can slip from under your loved one's feet, make sure to remove them from their home. In case Mom or Dad likes having a rug in one of the rooms, consider buying them a non-slip rug or simply use rung anchor pads.
  3. Rearrange the furniture in your parent's place and make the corridors easily accessible. Getting rid of end tables or any furniture used only as décor is also a good idea.
  4. Frequently used items and objects such as keys, clothes, and utensils should be placed within an easily reachable distance. Spend some time with your loved one to learn what things she or he uses the most and make them accessible.
  5. Make sure your parent's home is adequately lit at all times. In addition to this, place nightlight fixtures in key areas of the house such as stairway, bathroom, kitchen, and hallways in case your loved one gets up in the middle of the night.
  6. Install stair handrails in your loved ones home. Make sure every flight of stairs in the house has at least two railings that your parent can hold on to.
  7. Stairways can be extremely dangerous. In fact, stairway and staircase accidents are the second-leading cause of accidental injury. For this reason, make sure to secure your loved one's staircase with non-slip adhesive strips.
  8. Install grab bars in Mom or Dad's bathroom, especially around critical areas such as the bathtub, shower, and toilet. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), 80 percent of all senior falls take place in the bathroom.
  9. Consider purchasing a medical alert system. This will enable your loved one to immediately summon help should a fall occur. There are plenty of options to choose from, so make sure to do some research before opting for a particular brand.
  10. Last but not least, consider hiring professional elder care services. An experienced caregiver can help fall-proof your Mom or Dad's home and assist them with everyday tasks in order to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

By adhering to these elder care guidelines, you can boost safety and significantly reduce fall risks in your loved one’s surroundings.

Visiting Angels of Gastonia, NC, is a leading provider of non-medical in home care services for seniors. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Gastonia office at (704) 825-3350 or contact us for more information.

Visiting Angels proudly serves Alexis, Belmont, Bessemer City, Boiling Springs, Casar, Charlotte, Cherryville, Cramerton, Crouse, Dallas, Earl, Fallston, Gastonia, High Shoals, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lattimore, Lawndale, Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Mooresboro, Polkville, Shelby, Stanley, Vale, Waco, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina.

Serving Gastonia, Cramerton, Kings Mountain, Shelby, Belmont and Surrounding Communities in Gaston and Cleveland Counties

Visiting Angels GASTONIA, NC
1544 Union Rd Ste B
Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: 704-825-3350

Serving Gastonia, Cramerton, Kings Mountain, Shelby, Belmont and Surrounding Communities in Gaston and Cleveland Counties

Visiting Angels GASTONIA, NC
1544 Union Rd Ste B
Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: 704-825-3350