According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one out of four adults over age 65 falls every year. They’ve also shared some other interesting senior fall-related statistics:
- 20% of all falls result in serious injuries like head trauma or broken bones
- Over 800,000 seniors are hospitalized every year due to injuries suffered by falling
- Over 95% of hip fractures in elderly patients are caused by falling
- A senior’s risk of falling doubles after their first fall
- Every year, over 3 million elderly adults receive treatment in hospital emergency rooms because of falls
When it comes to the freedom and independence of your elderly loved one, these statistics are cause for concern. If you’re worried about the senior loved one in your life falling at home, there are modifications you can make that can substantially reduce their risk of serious injury. Taking a room-by-room approach, let’s look at some that are budget-friendly fall prevention ideas:
Bathroom
Because of wet and slippery tubs, showers, and floors, the bathroom is an especially hazardous room for seniors. To make it safer:
- Install grab bars in the bathing area and on the wall near the toilet
- Only use non-skid throw rugs
- Put anti-skid pads on the bottom of the shower or tub
- Set up a shower seat to keep your loved one from tiring and falling when showering
- Add a “booster seat” to the toilet so they can get up and down easier
Kitchen
Many seniors also fall in the kitchen. Make it safer by:
- Moving the table and chairs to one side of the room
- Placing rugs or mats with non-skid backings near the stove and sink
- Make sure all cooking and eating items are within arm’s reach
Steps and Stairs
Make the stairways in their home safer by:
- Adding more lighting or brighter bulbs
- Installing handrails along both sides
- Placing fluorescent tape strips on the front of each step
Other Rooms:
You can also reduce the potential for falls in other rooms in their home by:
- Removing or taping down any electrical cords they could trip over
- Make sure rooms are well lit
- Throwing away or fixing wobbly chairs
- Moving small furniture out of walkways
- Eliminating throw rugs that “bunch up” when walked on
- Reducing clutter throughout the home
Seaside Home Health Care CAREgivers Strive to Keep Seniors Safer
As a fully licensed and insured agency, our carefully screened and trained CAREgivers will help your loved one living in Southwest Florida stay safe and continue aging comfortably in place right where they want to be – at home. In addition to keeping seniors safer through fall prevention, all of our home care services are performed with care and can be individually combined into an affordable package to accommodate any budget. Moreover, our caregivers are adept at other duties as well such as like light housekeeping, meal preparation, personal hygiene assistance, medication reminders, transportation, and companionship. To learn more or schedule a FREE in-home assessment for your senior loved one living in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, and Naples, contact us today.
