Based on a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four adults aged above 65 suffer from fall injuries each year, and these falls occur mostly at home. This is particularly alarming news as for your loved ones, fall injuries can range from minor ones like cuts and bruises to severe brain damage and fractures. Brain damage can even be fatal depending on the impact of the fall. While we constantly regard the house as the safest place in the world, it’s better to be safe than sorry by fall-proofing your loved ones’ living space. As such, here are some ways you can prevent falls in loved ones.
Exercise Frequently
Before we state the methods to create a fall-proof living space, your loved ones can also decrease their risk of falling by improving their mobility and balance, which can be achieved through regular exercises. It should come as no surprise that leading an active lifestyle and keeping fit strengthen the muscle and improve joint stability, among many other benefits. This allows your loved ones to be better protected and maintain their body’s strength, thus reducing the chances for falls and injuries.
If your loved ones aren’t able to perform more complex workouts, no worries, as light exercises can do the trick as well. Activities such as water aerobics and chair yoga are just some of the more trendy forms of exercise that are increasing in popularity among older adults. Nonetheless, good old walking can do no wrong.
Fall-Proof the Bathroom
Due to the presence of water puddles after taking a bath or shower, the bathroom is no doubt one of the most hazardous areas in the house, alongside the kitchen. Water puddles can cause the floor to be slippery, which results in your loved ones falling. In order to prevent such unfortunate accidents from occurring, you can install grab bars next to the toilet and handrails in the shower to provide support for your loved ones. You can also place anti-slip bath mats outside of the tub or shower and outside of the bathroom. Just make sure these mats have a rubberized backing to increase friction.
Improve Lighting
If your loved ones suffer from vision loss, it’s important to make sure the living space is well-lit to provide a safe environment for them. A well-lit room prevents your loved ones from bumping into sharp edges, tripping on items on the floor, and generally navigating the living space easier. We recommend placing the light switches outside of each room on the entryway so that your loved ones do not have to enter a dark room. Nightlights are also a fantastic addition to be placed in areas where natural sunlight can’t hit, such as hallways and stairways. During the night, your loved ones can rely on these nightlights to get their way to the bathroom or kitchen.
Remove Hazards on the Floor
During family visits, try to clean up your loved ones’ living space by organizing any wires and cords, and decluttering any mess. This ensures that your loved ones have a clear path to walk around without falling and tripping.
