June is National Safety Month, and that means now is a great time to reassess your or an older parent’s home. You can help them prevent falls by fixing up dangerous spots around a house they spend time in. If a parent is in senior care, families may also want to help improve their own homes for when they come to visit.
Whether you are assessing an older loved one’s house or your own, there are many ways you can help reduce the risk of falls and improve levels of safety. Since one in three older adults will fall every year, there is an increased risk of broken bones, difficulty getting around, or many other health problems. But by being proactive, you can help reduce these risks and create a safer, happier, healthier environment for your older parent or loved one.
Fall Prevention Homecare
When looking around the house, there are a few areas that tend to put older adults at greater risk for falls. Evaluate these rooms and spots, and make any necessary changes to help keep everyone safe.
Stairways. Take a close look at stairs around the home and make sure that handrails are securely fastened to the wall. Check to see that they are not broken or cracked in any spots, either. In addition, you can improve functionality and safety by installing a second set of handrails, so they are on both sides of the steps.
Bathrooms. Be sure that an older loved one can move easily and safely around the bathroom. This should include getting in and out of a tub or shower. To make these areas even safer, closely look to see if there is soap build-up around washing areas. Remove it on a regular basis, as build-up will make surfaces slippery, and can drastically increase the risk of falls.
Other ways to improve bathroom safety are to install non-slip stickers in the bath or shower to add traction, and install shower grab bars that older adults can use for added support. If necessary, consider installing bars by the toilet, too. However, always use secure reinforcements to prevent them from coming loose. Lastly, prevent the risk of tripping on bathroom rugs by securing them with non-slip double-sided rug tape.
Kitchen. Commonly used items, like foods or dishes, should always be within reach. Consider how tall your older loved one is, and make sure they will not have to bend or reach to get them. For items that need to be stored up high, make sure that a step stool with a bar (for added support) is easily accessible.
All other rooms. Do an all-around inspection and check to see that hallways and rooms are free of obstacles. Move boxes, cords, plants, furniture, and other items out of trafficked areas to ensure smooth movement from room to room. In addition, when packing things away, make sure that more frequently used items like bed coverings or clothing are within reach but still out of the way.
Rugs and floors. Make sure that all floorboards are even and level. Also look at rugs to see that they are completely secured to the floor with double-sided tape, non-skid pads, tacks, or other trusted materials. When waxing a floor, always use non-skid wax.
Lighting. Another key to fall prevention is installing proper lighting around the house. Place nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, stairways and bathrooms to make sure that your older loved one can see well enough to get around at night. Also, conduct a lighting check around stairways and make sure that there are light switches at both the top and bottom of their stairs. As a rule of thumb, install sufficient lighting in any dark spaces around the house to make movement safer for everyone in the home.
When providing elder care services, Iowa families should take fall prevention seriously. By being proactive and making a home safer, families can help keep their older loved ones more protected, healthier, and happier in their homes for longer.
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