Ways to Prevent Falling at Home

Many falls happen at home, and no demographic is more prone to suffering falls and potential injuries than seniors. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors aged 65 or above. Whether you’re a senior who wants to prevent falling for yourself, or whether you’re a caregiver who wants to provide a safer, more navigable environment for the seniors you care for, there are several good solutions available to you. 

In this article, we’ll explore some ways you can help prevent unnecessary falls for aging-in-home seniors, and we’ll also point to some ways that the professionals at Home Healthsmith can help.

Conduct a Home Safety Assessment

This is something you can do on your own. It essentially involves going through every room and designated area of the home, and identifying any potential hazards for aging adults. Be sure to pay special attention to the floors, lighting, and furniture placement.

Checking the Floors

This is particularly important for the kitchen and any bathroom areas. Many falls tend to occur in these rooms, so it’s advised to install slip-resistant flooring materials whenever possible. And for any small area rugs that are placed around the kitchen or bathroom, it’s best to choose rugs that come with a non-slip backing.

Checking the Lighting

All frequently trafficked areas should be well-lit. This includes adequate lighting not just for kitchens and bathrooms, but also for:

• Bedrooms
• Stairways
• Hallways
• Living areas
• Any outdoor spaces that are adjacent to the home

Don’t just limit yourself to standard switch-activated lights, either. Consider adding some motion-activated lighting to indoor and outdoor areas that might benefit seniors by being able to offer instant lighting whenever they enter the area.

Check the Furniture Placement

It’s important to arrange furniture in a manner that isn’t in the way of any common walking paths. Pay special attention to low items like coffee tables. The goal is to create clear pathways and to remove any potential tripping hazards. The more open the layout, the better. Also, ensure that sitting furniture like sofas and chairs are designed at the right height for seniors to be able to enter and exit easily.

Consider Solutions for Additional Safety

Grab bars are mounted fixtures that offer more stability and balance support for seniors in areas where they really need them. Grab bars are most commonly used in the bathroom, especially around bathtubs, showers, and toilets. In addition to wall-mounted grab bars, there are also tension-mounted security pole & curve grab bars that can be easily placed wherever you need them, with no screws or bolts required.

In the same manner, it’s important to ensure that handrails are placed along hallways, and on both sides of any staircases. Seniors should be encouraged to hold onto handrails anytime they’re going up or down any stairs; in fact, using stair handrails is a good safety policy for adults or children of any age.

Raised toilet seats, risers, and frames are particularly helpful for seniors and others with mobility issues. These types of products are designed to make it much easier for folks to get on and off the toilet, and they give seniors more confidence and freedom to be able to use the bathroom themselves in privacy.

When it comes to bathing, there are several products available to make walk-in tubs and showers more accessible. A locking transfer bench makes it easier to get in and out of the tub, and shower seats & chairs can be wall-mounted or placed freestanding in the shower to assist seniors or others with mobility issues.

Wheelchair ramps placed at entrances make indoor/outdoor transitions much easier for those who rely upon mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. Where elevators aren’t practical or possible, stairlifts can be installed on both indoor and outdoor staircases to help empower seniors to continue living life on their own terms. 

Schedule Regular Home Safety Check-Ups

While you can and should conduct home safety assessments yourself, it’s also a good idea to call in the HHS experts for a professional assessment. Our team can flag any missing safety features or those in need of updating, and we can help you make the best plan to improve accessibility for the seniors in your life.

Reach Out to Home Healthsmith for Professional Assistance

“Fall-proofing” a home is one of the most important things you can do to help keep your seniors safe and improve their quality of life. At Home Healthsmith, we believe seniors should be able to age safely and comfortably in their own homes.

Ready to get started? We can come alongside to provide the best safety products to meet your unique needs. And for greater peace of mind, you can trust our proven installation process, too.

If you’re in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, get in touch today to schedule your free consultation!