Let's Focus on Fall Prevention this Fall

As the season turns to fall, let it be a reminder to help keep our seniors safe at this time of the year, and always, so they don’t end up falling. From everyday falling hazards, to seasonal ones - such as apples on the pathway of an orchard, there are many things that can trip up our seniors. But working on fall prevention can go a long way toward helping our seniors. A majority of falls among senior citizens occur around the home. There are many simple tasks we can take to ensure their environment is secure, so they can continue living a safe life in the comfort of their own home.

Be On the Lookout

Do an assessment of your senior loved one’s home. Be on the lookout for things they might trip over or get caught up on. Are there uneven floor surfaces? Often when transitioning from a room with carpet, to one with tiles or wood, the floor is uneven. This can pose a tripping hazard for your senior. Is there clutter in the way, or piles of books on the floor. Make a clear pathway so your senior can maneuver without tripping.

It’s All About Location

To help make things easier for your senior, and tripping or falling less of a possibility, ensure that what they need is within reach. For example, in the kitchen move their most-used items to the counter, or to a lower cabinet. Bring up essentials from the basement, so they don’t need to head downstairs to restock the toilet paper. Have the items - their glasses, a book, their favorite magazine, all within reach of their favorite chair.

Brighten Up

Make sure your senior loved one’s home has enough light so they can see anything potentially hazardous to them in their way. They might not notice an object that falls in their usual pathway if it’s dim in the room, and it could pose a tripping hazard. Look for bulbs with the highest wattage their lamps allow so they can see even better. Put the maps in easy-to-reach spots so they remember to turn them on.

Rug Awareness

They might be beautiful, but area rugs can be dangerous, especially for seniors. They pose a big falling hazard, as their feet can get caught up underneath, or their walker can get caught in the fringe. Try to pull area rugs out of their walking path. It might change the look of the home they’re used to, but it could help ensure they are able to stay in their home without a fear of falls. The same goes for bathroom rugs near the sink and toilet. Remove those so there is less of a chance of falling. However, in the bathtub and shower, you will want to add non-stop mats and surfaces.

Bigger Changes

A little more complicated, but well worth it for your senior loved one, is the idea of adding grab bars around the home. They should go into the bathrooms near the toilet, sink and in the shower. They can even go into rooms, such as near beds, by the patio or front door. Ensure your senior loved one has railings on both sides of the stairs, both inside and out. If not, install them or hire someone to do it.

Hire Someone To Help

Many home care agencies, including Visiting Angels The Villages, have trained professionals on staff that specialize in fall prevention. They can be there as your senior walks throughout their home to ensure they are safe and steady. They can get things for your senior, or ensure what they need is nearby so that they don’t have to walk far and be in danger of falling.

We Help Keep Your Seniors Safe

If you need help preventing falls for your senior loved one, we can help. A Visiting Angels in-home caregiver can help with everything from ensuring the environment is safe at home, to taking your senior on a walk. We have a Safe and Steady fall prevention program that helps prevent slips, trips and falls at home. 

With clients in The Villages, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, and other communities in Lake and Sumter counties, we are experts at helping seniors maintain meaningful lives. For information on helpers in Lake and Sumter Counties, contact us online or call us at (352) 643-0702. Our main office is located at 367 Fennell Blvd.