15 Ways to Lower the Risk of Falls in the Home

A serious fall for a senior living in San Dimas can change their life forever. There are many long-term issues from falls from serious injury, increased risk of future falls, and a need for more care. You may not always be able to be around to steady them as they get up, but you can still help lower their risk of a fall by making some small changes around their home.

1. Make sure they have non-slip mats. Slippery floors can be hazardous for an unsteady elder, especially in the bathroom or kitchen. Also, make sure there are non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower. 
2. Properly mounted grab bars.   Towel bars may look like an excellent place to hold on but will detach from the wall under a senior's total weight.  Ensure bars are strategically located in the bathroom, including inside the shower stall or just above the bathtub.
3. Sitting is better than standing when it comes to being safe in the shower. The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in the house, so get a shower chair.
4. Get a hand-held nozzle to replace the standard shower head. A nozzle can be easily turned away if there is a sudden change in water temperature. It can make for a more thorough cleaning, too. 
5. Make sure the stairs are clean and well-lit. Whether it is laundry, decorations, or a child’s toy, anything left on the stairs can create a fall risk. Pick up everything that doesn’t belong.
6. Make sure stairs are marked. A senior's eyes may not always be able to tell one step from the next. Mark each step with paint. Even paint each step a different color or add safety tape. Remove carpeting and add treads. 
7. Handrails for all elevation changes. Make sure any elevation adjustment has strong handrails, even if just a few stairs or a ramp.
8. Add a stair lift.  Anytime there is a long flight of steps on an entry or even a bedroom, you can install a lift that allows a senior to sit safely and ride to the top. 
9. Remove or hide extension cords. Seniors tend to use an extension cord to place fans, heaters, or electric blankets. Ensure all extension cords are out of the way,  behind furniture, or covered with something that safely keeps if from being a trip hazard.
10. Remove Clutter.  Seniors should not have to walk around a lot of furniture they are going to trip on. Get rid of small tables to give a senior more room to move around.  Plush furniture may look inviting, but someone can become trapped if they lack the body strength to push up and out of the chair.
11. Get a cane or a walker. Even if there is initial resistance to using a mobility aid, most elders find the increase in freedom, independence, and quality of life worth it. Be aware that an occupational therapist needs to train someone to use these properly. For increased convenience, choose a wheelchair, walker, or scooter that can collapse and fit easily in a car’s trunk or back seat. 
12. Evaluate a loved one’s footwear. Shoes need to fit well and have non-slip soles. Shoes with Velcro straps can be easier to tighten or loosen. They also remove any risk of tripping over long laces. 
13. Install better, brighter lighting. Aging eyes cannot always see that well in a dark or shadowed room. Better, brighter lighting can help to light the way. While you’re at it, assess the location of light switches. These may be out of reach for someone in a wheelchair.
14. Keep an elder active, whether regular walking or light exercising and stretching, active elders are stronger and safer than a sedentary ones.

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