Fall Prevention in Seniors by Adjusting the Environment.
Factors in the home environment cause a third of falls in Seniors. These should be addressed in order to ensure safety. It may help to request an interior designer, or a friend with a critical eye to go over your house once to help identify risk points and solutions.
Checklist of Risk Areas
Stairs:
Checklist of Risk Areas
Stairs:
- Install grab rails on stairs even if there are just a couple of steps.
- Ensure tiles, surfaces on the steps are level.
- Keep passages and walkways clear of clutter and small furniture.
- Highlight edges of steps if possible.
- Ensure steps are never wet.
- Repair broken steps immediately
- Have electrical outlets installed where appliances are required to avoid long trailing wires.
- Ensure electrical points, that need to be accessed are easily accessible without having to bend over furniture.
- Ensure lights are sufficient, and always have more than one light in a room so that in case of one point not working there is a backup.
- Light switches should be easily accessible, and preferably placed at both ends of hallways.
- If a senior has dementia, it may be advisable to install motion-sensitive lights also.
- Install strong grab bars on walls
- Fix liquid soap dispensers.
- Install a portable, hand-held shower head.
- Install a sturdy shower or seat.
- Install a raised toilet seat if needed.
- Use nonskid mats
- A bedside light
- A nightlamp
- A telephone
- Appropriate height of bed
- A firm chair with arms next to the bed
- Floors should be free of clutter, throw rugs etc.
- Leakages of water should be repaired immediately and spillages mopped up immediately.
- Nothing should be left temporarily on the floor.
- Uneven floors, cracks should be repaired immediately.