8 Ways to Prevent Falling

Did you know falls are the number one cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults 65 years and older? Or that one in every three older adults fall every single year? ¹ If you have a special older adult in your life (grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, neighbor, etc.) taking the time to help fall proof their home could mean the difference between life and death. In fact, 6 out of 10 falls occur in the home, so why not spend some extra time preventing a fall and making their home a safer place? ² Here are some great tips from the National Institute of Health on how you can fall proof your loved one’s home:

Rearrange furniture: Create a more open living space so it is easier to walk freely. Make sure walkways are free of items like shoes, electrical cords, clutter, etc.

Secure rugs to floor: Get rid of slippery throw rugs that can easily get caught under feet. Invest in non-slip rugs, or secure a non-slip liner under each rug.

Install mats or non-slip strips: Any surface that could potentially be slippery (shower, bath tub, bathroom floor, hardwood floor, etc.) should have a non-slip mat or strips secured on them.

Salt icy surfaces: Find a friend or neighbor willing to help sand or salt icy outdoor surfaces often. Even simply walking to the mailbox in the winter time could result in a fall if slippery.

Install proper lighting: Poor lighting can increase the chance of falling. Make sure lighting is sufficient both inside and outside the home.

Install even more lighting: Put night lights in all bathrooms, hallways, and bedrooms in case they get up at night. Also, make sure a bed lamp is nearby, preferably in reachable distance from the bed.

Install handrails: Having a handrail on each side of the stairway can prevent falling on stairs, which could be extremely dangerous. Even hallways can have handrails installed, providing extra support while walking.

Install grab bars in bathroom: Installing a grab bar next to the toilet, in the shower and bathtub can greatly help with trying to stand up. Make sure they are in reachable distance and attached properly.

These are just some of the many precautions you can take to help fall proof your loved one’s home. At Live Your Life, our goal is to help prevent falls. We offer a fall free wellness program that can help minimize the risk for falling.

At Live Your Life^TM we offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, personal training, acupuncture, massage therapy, health coaching and dietary services.

Live your life FALL FREE today!

Dr. Eva Norman
President and Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Life^TM

Bringing Physical Therapy & Wellness to You!

References

¹6 Steps for Preventing Falls Among Your Older Loved Ones. https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/preventing-falls-tips-for-older-adults-and-caregivers/6-steps-to-protect-your-older-loved-one-from-a-fall/. Accessed on February 13^th, 2017.

²Falls and Older Adults. https://nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/homesafety/01.html. Accessed on February 13^th, 2017.