Practical (and Inexpensive) Tips for Preventing Falls in the Home
Staying safe at home
Falls and resultant injuries are one of the leading causes of death in the elderly and a primary threat to whether individuals can remain in their home or have a need to move to a different level of care. While there are a number of factors that can contribute to falls in the home, here are some practical tips that can help to make it more safe, without breaking the bank.
Eliminate clutter:
In theory this should be one of the simplest and least costly interventions to preventing falls in the home. Eliminating clutter to prevent trip hazards and create a more comfortable and organized environment is a leading way to create a more comfortable and easy to manage home environment. Of course often times this is difficult and there is a huge psychological component to decluttering the home and letting go of the possessions that have emotional significance to us. There are in fact professionals who specialize in organizing, decluttering, and simplifying our home environment. This is a huge issue that can address our home setting.
Address our lighting needs properly:
Lighting in the home is a very important detail when it comes to fall prevention and addressing lighting needs in the home is important to do, looking at different times of the day and different times of the year for what is appropriate to the individual’s needs. We can look at different types of lighting which have various advantages and disadvantages, and look to mechanisms to control lighting timing – such as automatic timers, motion sensors, or other “smart” options.
Eliminate throw rugs and minimize thresholds:
Throw rugs can be a major trip hazard and are a major pet peeve of home therapists who work to minimize falls in their patients. Please consider eliminating throw rugs in the home to make it safer to manage and if you are insistent on having a throw rug in place at least look at alternatives such as lower profile options, or tacking down rugs securely to provide more safety and security. Thresholds can be another challenge both for walking as well as managing with a wheelchair or other device. Consider replacing higher thresholds with lower threshold transitions or looking at other options such as threshold ramps with color contrast to allow for easier transitions.
Have a plan for routine maintenance and safety alerts:
It can be cumbersome and hazardous to have a light bulb go out or smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector go out. Be proactive and have a plan in place. Have a friend or relative assist you on a scheduled basis to proactively change the batteries on your alarms (smoke and CO2 detectors) and change the lightbulbs), you may consider using longer lasting light sources like LED lighting which typically last more than 20 years.
These are just a few common tips for home management, safety and independence. BILD – Bridgeway Independent Living Designs offers other solutions for home modifications to assist individuals in remaining at home safely and comfortably with respect for the beauty and aesthetics of the home. Visit our website for more information and solutions for home safety and accessibility ideas at www.bildnow.com.