Fall Prevention Tips for Older Adults

How you can prevent falls before they occur

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the United States every second of every day. This alarming statistic sheds light on the fact that falls are the leading cause of injury and death for older adults in this age group. That is why taking precautions to help reduce your risk of falling at home is so important.

Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce your risk of falls in your home. Whether you make small modifications to your home to improve its safety or make lifestyle adjustments, there are many solutions to help you reduce your risk of experiencing a fall.

Home modifications to prevent falls

Your home can inadvertently put you in harm’s way as you age. Here are some changes you can make to your home that can help you avoid falls:

1. Install handrails – Installing handrails in your stairways and hallways can help you keep your balance when you’re navigating through your home.
2. Update bathrooms – As you age, it can become increasingly difficult to move around your bathroom. To help, install grab bars near your toilet and in your bathtub and shower. You can also help reduce your risk of a fall in the bathroom by placing non-skid mats on all surfaces that may get wet.
3. Install additional lighting – You can easily enhance the visibility of your entire home by adding night lights to each room to keep them well-lit. It may also be helpful to keep a flashlight near your bed in case you need to move around in the dark.
4. Improve item accessibility – Avoid placing frequently used items on top shelves or in hard-to-reach areas. You may need to rearrange or update shelving where necessary. 

Lifestyle adjustments to decrease your risk of falling

In addition to home modifications, there are some lifestyle adjustments you might consider making to decrease your risk of falling. These might include:

1. Improve your strength and balance – As you age, you may notice a decline in your strength and balance. It is important to exercise to help retain these functions and avoid falls. Physical or occupational therapy may be necessary if you have a health condition, injury, or have undergone surgery. 
2. Get help with household chores – If household chores are becoming difficult for you, it may be time to consider asking for help. This will help remove clutter and reduce your risk of tripping and falling. 
3. Take the correct medications at the correct times – It is important that you take your prescribed medications at the correct time to avoid health complications that may result in dizziness or unconciousness. If you manage a complicated medication schedule, you may want to consider a medication management device. 
4. Stay on top of chronic health conditions – If you have a chronic health condition, make sure that you are following instructions from your doctor to manage your condition well. If you need help managing your chronic illness, home health care might be a good option for you. 

Remain independent at home with Ethos Home Health Care

At Ethos Home Health Care, we’re here to help you feel safe while remaining independent at home. Whether you are in need of physical, occupational, or speech therapy, need help managing your chronic illness, or want to improve your current health status, our team is here to support you.

Take our free online assessment to learn if home health care is the right fit for you or a loved one. For more information contact us by filling out an online form or call (701) 809-9319.