Avoid a slip-up.
Every year, 3 million older people are treated in the ER and Urgent Care clinics for fall injuries. Most falls do not happen from a height, but rather when individuals slip or trip. Although accidents in the home affect both the young and old, it takes longer to heal as we age. Avoiding an injury is much easier than recovering from one.
Fall-proofing has multiple benefits
Fall-proofing your home may make your life a bit easier. Decluttering and planning spaces for their purpose not only organizes your home, it also creates efficiency and prevents common accidents, such as trips and falls. The best place to start is by taking a look at traffic patterns and the entryways to the spaces most commonly used.
Finding the hidden hazards in your home
Fall prevention starts at the front door. Homes with steps or stairs may be made safer with handrails and weatherproofing for rain and snow. Well-lit spaces also reveal hazards. Proper lighting and strategic placement of lamps help individuals see better and avoid falls.
There should be a clear path from room to room, especially for those with mobility devices. Throw rugs cause an astounding number of accidents and should be anchored with rug tape or secured from slippage with rug grips. Move obstacles such extension cords, chairs, and footstools out of the way.
Organize your spaces for accessibility and take advantage of items such as stepping stools and reachers. The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, and seniors are more prone to bathroom injuries than any other age group. Grip-bars and no-slip solutions for showers, tubs and tile floors are essential for any fall-proofed home.
Falls can be prevented.
Certain parts of aging cannot be changed, but falls can be avoided with awareness and some simple planning. Healthy Aging Month occurs every September, and it is celebrated at OrthoArkansas as time to highlight ways to avoid injury and stay healthy.
