Falls in the home are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but are simple to fix. This fall prevention checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home. The questions listed below ask about hazards found in each room of your home. For each hazard, the list tells you how to fix the problem.

FLOORS:

Q: When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture?
Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is clear.

Q: Do you have throw rugs on the floor?
Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won't slip.

Q: Are there papers, books, towels, shoes, magazines, boxes, blankets, or other objects on the floor?
Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep the floor clear of objects.

Q: Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?
Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can't trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet.

STAIRS AND STEPS: Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home

Q: Are there papers, shoes, books or other objects on the stairs?
Pick up items on the stairs. Always keep objects off the stairs to prevent falls.

Q: Are some steps broken or uneven?
Fix any loose or uneven steps to reduce the risks of falling.

Q: Are you missing a light over the stairway?
Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Q: Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
Have an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.

Q: Has the stairway light bulb burned out?
Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.

Q: Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?
Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.

Q: Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?
Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs.

KITCHEN:

Q: Are the things you use often on high shelves?
Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist level).

Q: Is your step stool unsteady?
If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

BATHROOMS:

Q: Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

Q: Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or up from the toilet?
Have a carpenter put grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.

Labels: falls, seniors

Falls in the home is an important topic so I would like to finish up the discussion with this post and one more. As always, I appreciate any comments or questions.

What outcomes are linked to falls?

• Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can drastically limit mobility and reduce independent living. Injuries from falls also increase the risk of early death
  


• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults
  


• Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls
  


• The most common fractures are of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand
  


• Many people who fall, even those who are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and actually increasing their risk of falling
  

Here A couple of tips to reducing the chance of falling.

• Keep healthy and active to keep muscles strong and balance good
  


• Evaluate your living space and take notice of any potential hazards
  


• Decide who is at risk and see what changes they may need
  


• Take a risk assessment of your home. Look for spills, loose mats, wet floors, unstable or uneven flooring, lack of handholds on stairways or bathrooms, appliance cords, clutter around the house and adequate lighting.

Labels: falls, seniors

I recently came across and excellent resource for seniors and caregivers. This is a blog that discusses many senior and health related topics including caring for elders. The blog is called Minding Our Elders.

I found a lot of quality information on the site and thought it could be worthwhile for others to use it as well. The author, Carol Bradley Bursack, was very responsive to my comments and questions and provided good feedback. I found her very helpful and very willing to discuss or research any related topic. If you are a caregiver or a senior this blog may a good resource for you.

If you would like to visit her site go to the Minding Our Elders blog and check it out.

Labels: seniors