How to Make Your Home Safer and Prevent Falls

You’re comfortable at home. You know where everything is, the way you move through each room and which floorboards creak. While your house may stay the same over the years, you begin to change. Maybe your balance isn’t what it was, or your vision’s a little less sharp. And that rug you’ve walked over for twenty years? Now it catches your foot.

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults, and about one in four people over 65 falls each year. Most of those falls happen at home, and the consequences can include broken bones, head injuries and loss of independence. Fortunately, most falls are preventable.

June is National Safety Month, which makes it a good time to walk through your home and look for any risks hiding in plain sight.

Why Falls Happen

Falls can happen in an instant, from one misstep or one slippery spot. And risk compounds when hazards stack up. Poor lighting combined with a loose rug creates more danger than either one alone. Balance issues become worse when you’re also navigating clutter. And when multiple hazards exist within the same place, a fall becomes more likely.

The biggest culprits are poor lighting (especially at night), clutter in walkways, rugs that slip, uneven flooring and changes in your balance, vision or mobility. Any one of those makes you more vulnerable. Stack two or three together, and the risk multiplies.

Start with the Spaces You Move Through Most

Hallways and entryways tend to collect clutter. Shoes end up by the door, bags get dropped on the floor and umbrellas get left against the wall. Plus, you often move through these spaces quickly, and sometimes in the dark, which makes them riskier than you’d think.

So, clear the pathways. If you use a walker or a cane, make sure you have room to move comfortably. Add motion-sensor lights so you’re not fumbling for switches at night. Install a handrail if you don’t have one. And if you have a rug in your entryway, make sure it’s secured with a non-slip backing, or get rid of it if it keeps sliding around.

Living rooms and dens tend to get crowded. As time goes on, you may acquire more furniture, and it can be difficult to let go of the old and sentimental pieces. But tight spaces create obstacles.

Rearrange if you need to. If you find yourself squeezing between the couch and coffee table, move something. Secure area rugs with non-slip pads or remove them. Avoid low furniture that’s hard to get out of and make sure tables or ottomans you might lean on for support are sturdy and in good condition.

The High-Risk Rooms

Kitchens see a lot of action, which can mean a lot of spills. Water splashes near the sink, or oil splatters when you’re cooking. You’re also reaching for things constantly, whether that means grabbing a pot from the cabinet or ingredients off the shelf.

So, wipe up spills immediately. Put non-slip mats in front of the sink and stove. Clear off counters so you’re not navigating around clutter. And skip the step stool. If you can’t reach something without climbing, ask for help or move it somewhere more accessible.

Better lighting can make a difference, too. Add under-cabinet lights or swap out dim bulbs for brighter ones.

Bathrooms are where falls happen most often. Between wet tiles, stepping in and out of the tub, and standing up from the toilet, every movement in the bathroom carries risk.

Install grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower or tub and make sure they’re anchored into studs. Use non-slip mats on the floor and in the tub. A raised toilet seat can make it easier to sit and stand, especially if you have knee or hip issues. A shower bench lets you sit while you wash, which can reduce your chance of slipping. And if you’re considering remodeling, a walk-in tub or curbless shower eliminates the step that can trip you up.

Bedrooms can be hard to navigate in the dark. Sometimes you’re half-asleep, groggy from medication or trying to get to the bathroom without fully waking up.

So, keep the path from your bed to the bathroom clear. Use a bedside lamp or motion sensor lights so you can see clearly. And keep things you need like your phone, glasses and water on the nightstand where you can easily reach them.

If getting out of bed is difficult, bed rails or mobility aids can help. And check your bed height. Your feet should rest flat on the floor when you’re sitting on the edge. Too low or too high makes it harder to stand up safely.

When You Need More Than Home Modifications

Making your home safer may reduce the risk of falls, but it doesn’t address the underlying health issues that can contribute to falls in the first place, including balance problems, weakness and medication side effects.

That’s where skilled nursing comes in. Ohioans Home Health & Hospice provides in-home nursing services to monitor your health, manage medications and help you stay steady on your feet. While we don’t provide home modification services, we can connect you with resources that do.

If you’re concerned about falling or want to talk with us about how skilled nursing can help you stay independent at home, call 855-600-0806 or contact us today.