“Fall-Proofing” Your Home

As our loved ones age, there may be new hazards and dangers around the house they will encounter as we seek to care for them. One of the most common fears among the elderly is the risk of falling in their own home without someone being there. Thankfully, there are several practical ways to make adjustments in one’s house to minimize the potential of a catastrophic tumble. Here are some tips to “fall-proof” the main rooms to your home: 

Bedroom

The number one key to reducing the risk of falling is to eliminate the daily use of stairs. If a loved one still uses an upstairs bedroom, consider finding a way to gently encourage them to move to a more accessible bedroom. Offer to help move their personal items and assist them in making their new bedroom as homey and functional as possible! Arrange their room in such a way that furniture is out of the way and there is plenty of room to navigate any tight corners or potential trouble areas. Help them set up their closet so that everything is easily within reach and not overcrowded.

Bathroom

The bathroom tends to be the most problematic room in the house, with frequent falls being reported among the elderly as they try to get in and out of the bathtub or shower. Since this tends to be the most tricky space to navigate for the elderly, consider investing in a walk-in tub or shower with a threshold less than 3 inches. Make sure to include a handheld shower head and wide seat. Other helpful additions to make a bathroom more user-friendly are non-slip bath mats and an abundance of handrails. If you have a loved one who is at serious risk for falling in the bathroom, you might even weigh the benefits of installing an emergency button that could be easily accessible.

Living Spaces

The secret to “fall-proofing” your living spaces is to eliminate hidden nuisances that could trip someone. Move any cables, power strips, or lighting extensions out of the way. Check the pile height of any small rugs that could be a cause of stumbling. In some cases, it might be easier to opt for carpet or a large area rug instead of using smaller rugs to reduce uneven flooring. Offer to help organize any clutter that could get in the way and be sure to clean up any small toys that grandkids might leave behind from a visit to grandma’s. 

Outdoors

The outdoors generally seems to harbor less hazards than most indoor spaces, but there are a few areas to notice. Hoses and watering systems can be easily hidden in grass, so mark them clearly and remove them from a walking path when possible. Although sets of stairs are generally much smaller on the exterior of the house than in the interior, many elderly can struggle with the entryway steps. Set up a wide handrail at all of their entrances if there is not one already.  

Although the possibility of falling is certainly a concern for the elderly, there are so many ways to reduce this risk so that they can continue to enjoy their independence and an active lifestyle. A few of these small changes could make a massive difference in the lives of our loved ones!