According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one out of four adults over age 65 falls every year, though many never tell their family or doctor what happened. Here are some interesting senior fall-related statistics by CDC that will make you realize the important to prevent falls of your loved one:
- 20% of all falls result in serious injuries like broken bones or head trauma
- Over 800,000 seniors are hospitalized every year due to injuries sustained in a fall
- Over 95% of hip fractures in elderly patients are caused by falling
- A senior’s risk of falling doubles after falling the first time
- Every year, over 3 million elderly adults receive treatment in hospital ERs because of falls
Many seniors end up receiving care in a nursing home or hospital as they recuperate from a fall, and, sadly, some never fully recover. When it comes to the freedom and independence of your elderly loved one, these statistics are cause for concern.
Taking a room-by-room approach, let’s look at some easy home additions and steps you can take to help prevent the falls of your loved one.
Bathroom
The bathroom is a particularly dangerous room for seniors because of the wet and slippery tubs, showers, and floors. Here are a few ways to make it safer:
- Install grab bars in the bathing area and on the wall near the toilet
- Remove all throw rugs
- Put anti-skid pads on the bottom of the shower or tub
- Get 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 elderly adults also fall in the kitchen. You can prevent falls 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
Keep the stairways in their home safe by:
- Adding more lighting and/or brighter bulbs
- Adding handrails along both sides
- Placing fluorescent tape strips on the front of each step
Other Rooms
You can fall-proof other rooms in the home by:
- Removing or taping down any electrical cords they could trip over
- Make sure the room is well lit
- Repairing or discarding wobbly chairs
- Moving small furniture out of walkways
- Eliminating throw rugs that “bunch up” when walked on
- Reducing clutter throughout the home
Other Fall Prevention Safety Tips
Here are some additional ways to help prevent falls of your senior loved one:
- Make sure pets don’t lay in walkways
- Has your loved one’s vision been checked? New prescription lenses can help them spot obstacles and improve balance
- Have their balance tested by a healthcare professional and see if it’s time for them to use a walker or cane
- Ask them to stay off ladders and stepstools
- Buy them shoes with non-skid soles
Our In-Home Caregivers Strive to Keep Seniors Safer
Helping an older adult avoid falling at home can be difficult for a family caregiver. If you are seeking care for yourself or a loved one living in Bedford, Winchester, Concord Massachusetts, or throughout the Northwest Boston area, contact Assisting Hands Home Care.
As a fully licensed and insured agency, our carefully screened caregivers will help your loved ones stay safe, so they can continue aging comfortably in place right where they want to be – at home.
In addition to keeping seniors safer through fall prevention, our well-trained aides can perform other in-home duties like light housekeeping, meal preparation, personal hygiene assistance, medication reminders, transportation, and companionship.
All of our home care services are performed with care and can be individually combined into an affordable package to accommodate any budget. To learn more or schedule a FREE in-home assessment for your senior loved one, contact us today.
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