Safety tips to prevent falls at home

Each year, more than one out of four older adults (65 and older) will unintentionally fall possibly resulting in an injury. Less than half will tell their doctor. Even if they did not suffer an injury, falling once doubles a person’s chance of falling again.

Falling for anyone, but especially the elderly, can be serious and costly. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell the story:

· One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.

· Each year, 2.8 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.

· Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.

· More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually falling sideways.

· Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.

The majority of elderly people wish to be able to stay in their own home for as long as they can. But all it takes is one serious fall within or around their home that can be life-changing to change those circumstances.

To maintain independence, it’s important to be aware of how you can guard against falls. There are many ways to make sure your home is safe and to recognize potential hazards that could contribute to a fall. Here are simple steps to prevent falls from happening at home:

1. Floor and rugs

· Clean floors of clutter and any items you can easily trip over.

· Check floor boards for evenness.

· Make sure area rugs are secured to floors with tacks, non-skid pads or double-sided tape.

· Wipe up all spills immediately.

· Use non-skid floor wax.

2. Kitchen

· Have a step stool that has a bar at the top to hold onto.

· Keep items used frequently such as dishes and food items within easy reach.

3. Bathroom

· Have easy access into and out of both the tub and shower.

· Use non-slip mats in both the bath and shower.