Safety 

Avoiding Falls

The number one action driving seniors from independence is a fall. Each year 1 in 4 older adults experience significant falls with approximately 50% of these occurring in their homes. With current trends and falls the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among older adults, we can expect 7 fall deaths every hour by 2030. (CDC). 

Most of this section addresses the controllable issues of modifying homes to avoid falls, but the following articles are also important to address underlying medical conditions that may also be causing falls.

• Preventing Falls in Aging Adults - https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/falls-topic/
• 8 Things to check after a person falls - https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/8-things-to-check-after-fall-in-aging/

Safety Plans & Home Modification   

Aging in place typically requires creating a safe environment and conducting a space risk assessment.  Nine of 10 homes do not have modification in their home to support safe aging in place.  According to the CDC modifying the home can reduce fall risks by up to 40%.  Several organizations are available to conduct these assessments, but the Winchester Council on Aging recommends looking to Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy organizations, such as Healthy Aging Physical Therapy to work with you and or your loved ones to develop a personalized plan that helps you proactively and cost effectively create safe, functional and personalized living spaces where you can age in place. 

• Most common fall hazards: poor lighting, loose rugs, clutter, changes in flooring materials, activities in the bathroom and bedroom. 
• Fall prevention preparations: Exercise, health management, balance training, and home modifications. 
• Modifications: Depending on living arrangements there are certain modifications that can make a home safer to reduce the risk of falls. Here are some simple tips. 
  • How to Modify Your Home for Safety with Tips on Equipment and Strategies for Today!,  Lean more
  • AARP HomeFit Guide - LINK 

***Tip - “Home safety evaluations should be collaborative, client-centered and customized.  A professional should not be entering your home with a one-size fits all prescriptive approach, but rather should take time to get to know you and what challenges you are facing.  They should take a problem-solving based approach, that takes into account a client’s values, activities and roles.” - Shannon Hardy, OTR/L,Healthy Aging 

Quick ideas: 

• Keep frequently used items within easy reach. 
• Rug Tape - “Rug Grip” Yellow Tape 
• Anti Slip Tread to Steps (also adds contrast for visual cues) 
•  Install handrails on both sides of stairs or install a chair lift 
•  Clear clutter and arrange furniture so there’s room to walk 
• Get rid of loose rugs and keep electrical cords out of the way in tubs - AmazonSticky tread that can be applied 
• Raised Toilet Seats (elevator) with handles on either sides 
• Shower Chair (In case you’re fatigued in the shower 
• Hand held shower mounted to wall with easy bin for shampoo and conditioner 
• Put rubber bands around shampoo and conditioner so you know which is which. 
• Use nightlights and motion detection lights. especially where you are walking at night in between spaces. 
• Bed rails can really help getting in and out of bed. 
• Add risers to chairs to make it easier to get up and down from furniture or add a cushion 
• Purchase a couch cane to make it easier to get up from a chair. 
• Have an organizational sleeve on the couch so you can always find remote. 
• In kitchen always use armed chairs 
• Electric tea kettles that tilt more easily if it’s too heavy. 
• Sock grabbers 
• Rolling carts for laundry, soap pods vs big jug soap 
• Mirror on top of laundry to make it easier to see if there is something inside of top load washer... 🙂 
• Wall holder for hair dryer if you can’t raise hands above from shoulder injury. 
• Sub out elastic shoe laces 
• Button hook in case you have arthritis or snap clothes instead of buttoms. 
• Auto food and water dispenser for pets. 
• Leg loop to help get your left leg into the car 
• Hook to pull down the seatbelt