Reduce Your Risk for Falls with These Five Easy Tips

If you’re over the age of 25, chances are your balance isn’t what it used to be. You read that correctly; the average person’s sense of balance begins to decline around the age of 25. As you grow older, the likelihood of falling only increases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. Falls are a threat to the health of older adults, often resulting in hip fractures, cuts, and even serious head and brain injuries. For the lucky few who fall and are left unharmed, falls may leave them feeling afraid, thus they avoid certain activities due to fear of falling again.

Older adults are most likely to fall at home. Many older adults have a false sense of security and take greater risks when navigating their own home. As January is National Get Organized Month, it is the perfect month to evaluate your loved one’s living space. Then, utilize a few of the ideas below to help create a safe living space for your aging loved one.

Clear the Clutter
Fall prevention starts with clutter-free living spaces. It should be easy for your loved one to navigate hallways, access the bathroom and bedroom, and move about their home without stepping over clutter. Also, avoid placing decor on the floor where it can easily blend in over time. Instead, create colorful drop-zones so that your loved one has a place to put household items, such as mail or laundry, before they pile up. Donate excessive furniture and declutter over-decorated areas of the home.

Eliminate Potential Tripping Hazards
Avoid falls by removing tripping hazards throughout the home. Unsecured floor rugs may add a little color to the space, but they pose a dangerous risk for falls, especially in the bathroom. Instead, remove rugs that aren’t secure or purchase non-slip rug pads or anchors to secure the rugs to the floor. Fix loose carpet and floorboards that stick up, and secure extension cords. If your loved one uses a walker or cane, arrange furniture in such a way that that can easily navigate their home without having to let go of their assistive device.

Install Grab Bars
The bathroom can be a dangerous room for many seniors, especially when the floor gets wet from showers. Prevent falls in the bathroom by installing grab bars inside and outside of the shower or bathtub. Purchase a shower chair for your loved one to use while bathing. Consider installing grab bars on both sides of the toilet or purchase an over-the-toilet commode with handles so that your loved one can navigate the toilet without falling. Also, ensure that the bathroom is well-lit at night. Consider adding motion sensor lights or night lights, so that your loved one can navigate the bathroom with ease in the middle of the night.

Put on Shoes
While socks may be more comfortable, socks pose a slipping risk for many seniors. Encourage your loved one to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes at home. Shoes should have a heel as well, to prevent your loved one from stepping out of the shoe mid-step. If you or your loved one prefers a shoe-free home, purchase a pair of shoes to wear strictly indoors. If your loved one insists on socks, choose non-slip socks with grips on the soles of the feet, or non-slip slippers with a heel for safety.

Consider an Assistive Device
Talk with the doctor about your loved one’s need for an assistive device, such as a cane or walker. Your doctor can make a referral for your loved one to receive a balance assessment by a physical or occupational therapist. The therapy team can provide balance exercises for your loved one to do at home to improve their balance, as well as write a prescription for an assistive device if necessary. Most insurance companies will pay for all or a portion of the cost of an assistive device, so check with your insurance company before purchasing a walker or cane at a drug store.

Visiting Angels Southlake is committed to educating older adults and their families about ways to reduce falls. For even more tips on fall prevention, download your free copy of our Safe & Steady Fall Prevention Resource Guide. While most falls can be prevented, we recognize that falls do happen. If you or your loved one should experience a fall, we are here to help. Contact our office today to schedule your free in-home assessment and learn how we can partner together to help prevent your loved one from experiencing a fall in the future.