When you are in your elderly loved one’s home, does it seem cluttered? Is it difficult for you to get around? If so, then it is likely very difficult for your elderly loved one to get around. If this is the case, it is important for you to work with your elderly loved one to reduce their risk of falling in their home. There are some fall prevention tips for common areas in a home that can help to accomplish this goal .
Handling the Entryways
One of the most common areas that elderly people fall at in their home is the entryway. This often happens because they come inside and have wet or slipper shoes from snow, rain, or mud. Another reason why many elderly people fall in their entryway is because they have their hands full of grocery bags and can’t see where they are going. These situations can cause them to slip and fall. There are some ways that you can lower your elderly loved one’s risk of falling in their entryway. Some of the things you can do include the following:
- Install a handrail on both sides of their porch
- Put a slip-resistant doormat inside the entryway
- Put a little table on the side of the doorway to put things on
- Get a shoe rack so shoes aren’t just lying in the entryway
If you do these things for your elderly loved one, it could greatly reduce their chances of falling in their entryway.
Handling the Living Room
Many elderly people fall in their living room, as well. There could be many different hazards in your elderly loved one’s living room. The furniture might be too big, making the areas for walking too small. The rugs or carpet on the floor might be loose. There could be cords and clutter in the way, as well. Is this how your elderly loved one’s living room is? If so, you should make sure to take the necessary actions to reduce their risk of falling in the living room. Some of the things that you can do include the following:
- Put tape under the rugs to ensure they don’t move
- Staple the edges of the carpet down so your loved one won’t trip over them
- Get smaller furniture to replace the larger ones
- Make sure all cords are properly wrapped up or hid away
- Organize all belongings so there isn’t clutter all over the place
If you make these changes to your elderly loved one’s living room, they will have a much lower risk of falling in that area of their home.
Handling the Bathroom
Another common area of homes that the elderly often fall is the bathroom. Some of the reasons for this is due to wetness around the bathtub, a toilet that sits too low, and clutter in the bathroom. If this is how your elderly loved one’s bathroom looks, there are some things you can do to reduce their risk of falling. Some of the things that you can do include the following:
- Put a non-slip mat outside of their shower
- Put a non-slip mat inside the shower
- Put handrails on the walls of the bathroom (especially near the toilet)
- Organize all the belongings to reduce clutter
If these things are done, you can greatly reduce your elderly loved one’s risk of falling in their bathroom.
Conclusion
Are you worried that your elderly loved one will fall in their home? If so, these are some of the ways that you can reduce their risk of falling in the common areas of their home. After doing these things, you and the home care providers can help your elderly loved one to keep these areas picked up and organized.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering home care in Eagan, MN please contact the caring staff at Great Oak Senior Care, Inc. today. (952) 767-4925
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
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