When I went to the doctor’s office recently, the very nice receptionist presented me with a brochure. At first glance, I realized that it was the perfect resource for my weekly blog. I thanked her for the information and tucked it away in my purse until I had time to read it more carefully.
As it turned out, the brochure was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it provided a Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults, just in time for Fall Prevention Week, September 17-23.
“Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. In 2011, nearly 23,000 people over age 65 died and 2.4 million were treated in emergency departments because of falls,” CDC reports.
Because falls often occur due to hazards in the home, this fall prevention checklist for seniors should help eliminate dangerous falling conditions to keep seniors safer at home.
Stairs & Steps (indoors and outdoors)
Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?
- Always keep objects off the stairs.
Are there steps that are broken or uneven?
- Fix loose or broken stairs.
Is there a light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs?
- Have an electrician put in an overhead light and light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow, too.
Has a stairway light bulb burned out?
- Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.
Is the carpet on the stairs loose or torn?
- Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads on the stairs.
Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?
- Fix loose handrails or install new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the staircase.
Floors
When you walk into a room, do you have to walk around furniture?
- Ask someone to move the furniture so your pathways are clear.
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.
Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the floor?
- Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor.
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.
Kitchen
Are the things you use often on high shelves?
- Keep things you use often on the lower shelves, about waist high.
Is your step stool sturdy?
- If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.
Bedrooms
Is the light near the bed hard to reach?
- Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.
Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?
- Put in a nightlight so you can see where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark.
Bathrooms
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.
Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub, or up from the toilet?
- Have grab bars installed next to and inside the tub and next to the toilet.
For seniors living alone who are unable to follow the recommendations on this CDC checklist for fall prevention because they have no family or friends around to help, please contact me. I offer a FREE Assessment and home safety check. I can recommend professional colleagues and other resources to provide services to minimize falling hazards, and I can also match the perfect compassionate caregiver who will provide in-home care services to make life easier and safer for seniors24/7/365.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2016-2022 and the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2022. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
