(Don’t) Fall This Fall

Falling is one of the most common forms of injury for older people, with over 36 million falls reported each year (plus countless others that were not reported). Falling can also be deadly, causing over 32,000 deaths annually.

Many things can contribute to falls, and sometimes they just happen out of the blue, but there are a variety of things you can do to ensure that your home and surrounding environment are as safe as possible. Here are a few places to start:

1) The Floor

Tripping over things on the floor- or even tripping over the flooring itself- is very common.

Rugs- while they can be beautiful and really tie the room together, rugs are a common contributor to tripping. Rugs with curled edges should be removed, and you should only use rugs with a rubber backing or that are placed on a rug pad that prevents them from slipping. People with walkers may have an especially difficult time with rugs, as they tend to shuffle the walker forward, which can easily fold up the edge of a rug without them noticing it. Consider taping down the edges of your rug in these situations.

Furniture- Furniture should be arranged in such a way that there are wide, clear paths, especially if you use a walker or wheelchair to navigate.

Uneven Flooring- Even a small uneven area in the floor can be dangerous, especially if it is near the stairs or in an area where a fall would cause severe injury. This is especially true for little lips or ledges that may be caused by transitions between flooring types (i.e., carpet to hardwood, etc.), which can be easy to catch with a walker or a foot.

Clothing and Towels- Not only can clothing and towels on the floor be a tripping hazard- they can also be a slipping hazard. And because they are dropped by accident or left in inconsistent places, you or your loved one may not even see them. This can also be true of clothing items such as slippers and robes that are frequently left beside beds or couches.

2) Bending and Reaching

Balance can become a problem as you age. Not only can the act of bending or reaching be uncomfortable or difficult, but it can also make you feel lightheaded or dizzy, which could then cause you to fall.

Move Your Most Used Objects Between Waist and Eye Level. Whenever possible, arrange shelves, counters, tables, and other storage areas in your home so that your most frequently used objects are kept somewhere between waist and eye level. This helps make them easier to find and easier to grab whenever you need them. Obviously, if you spend much of your time in a wheelchair, your “between waist and eye level” will be much lower than someone who navigates by walking.

Don’t Use Ladders, Stepstools, or Chairs to Reach High Places. Not only is it more difficult to stay balanced, but you risk falling even farther than you would if you were simply standing on the floor, which can lead to more serious injuries.

3) Slippery When Wet

Kitchens and Bathrooms can be especially hazardous areas of the home. Hard flooring surfaces tend to get very slippery when wet, and actions as mundane as filling up a glass from a refrigerator’s water dispenser can create wet floors. This is one area of the house where the rewards of having a rug may be greater than the elevated risks it may pose.

Showers and Baths are a falling and slipping hazard, with over 13% of older adults having reported falling in their bathrooms. We have an entire article that focuses on making bathing safer- check it out by clicking here to read all of those tips and tricks.

Sidewalks and Driveways can also be slippery, especially if the surface isn’t very textured. They also have a tendency to freeze during cold winter temperatures. If you must leave the house in the winter, be sure to have someone help you by salting your walkway, porch, and driveway, and perhaps even escorting you out of your house, just in case.

Becoming more aware of the areas in your home is the first step towards increasing safety. The proverbial ounce of prevention is worth much more than a pound in doing everything you can to prevent a painful, traumatizing fall for yourself or your loved one.