One of the scariest things for a caregiver is when their loved one falls. Falls are the leading cause of serious injuries among older adults. As the number of Americans choosing to age in place increases, so does the number of seniors who fall at home. The most important thing to remember is that falling is not a normal part of aging. Falls are a symptom of homes that have not been modified to suit a population that is aging in place. By taking a few safety precautions, we can reduce the number of falls and keep our loved ones healthy and happy at home. Following are some ways to reduce the risk of falls: Staircases – If your loved one lives in a two–story home, the risk of falling on a long staircase is probably apparent. But, even if they live in a one–story home, there could be steps in other areas of the home that you might not consider when fall–proofing, like two steps going down to the living room. Many houses have two or three steps heading to the porch or other steps in the yard or garden areas. Ensuring that all the home’s stairs have handrails on both sides of the steps can help prevent falls. It’s also important to remove clutter from the staircase and attach non–skid treads to the edges of the steps. Ensuring that every staircase is properly lit also helps prevent missteps, which often result in falls. Try some simple stick-on LED lights with motion sensors. They are great for automatically illuminating stairs and walkways. Outdoor staircases made of concrete can prove to be a challenge to seniors because they are targets for ice, and more prone to chipping and can be harder to keep clear.Bathrooms – The bathroom is one of the most used areas in any home and is a top location for falls because of how often it’s used. Your loved one not only uses water in this room, but they are also often barefoot, which can reduce stability. Add these risks on top of the fact that they are regularly going from a standing to a sitting position, and you have a fall waiting to happen. When more than 230,000 people are injured in the bathroom each year, you can be assured that it can be a dangerous place for older Americans. Keeping the bathroom floor free of ...
