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One in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. For those over the age of 75, one quarter of falls result in serious injury. 40% of nursing home admissions are the direct result of falls. In people over 70 years of age, falls are the sixth leading cause of death. Take a look around your home and remove problems. Take deliberate action to provide a safer place for you and/or a loved one. Make corrections such as removing a potential hazard or adding a safety device to make a problem area safer. Make sure that all sloor surfaces are non-slip surfaces. Floors and stairs should be covered with tacked down carpeting. Area rugs (from the throw rug type to fancy orientals) pose a hazard to those who might be less sure footed. You will want to remove as many changes in surface grade and texture on the pathways as you can on the floors - especially in the walkways. You will also want to keep walkways clear of obstacles such as shoes, waste baskets, tables, etc. Next, evaluate the lighting. Is there ample light in walkways? Are light switches strategically placed so no one has to enter or exit a room in the dark? Utilizing night lights is worth considering. In the bathroom(s), are there grab bars by the toilet, in the tub or shower? If not, these might be worth investing in. Most of the larger home improvement stores carry these at reasonable prices. Tubs and showers should have non-slip surfaces installed if not already in place. You might also want to consider a shower chair for the tub or shower. This wold allow the user the option of sitting and eliminate the risk of falling from a standing position. A shower chair offers several advantages. In the bedroom, to avoid climbing and reaching, rearrange the closets so that everything is within easy reach. Make sure that light switches are placed so that entering or exiting the room does not have to be done in the dark. Another consideration is to avoid using bedding that is slippery. A fall could occur just from sliding off the edge of the bed when sitting down - especially in the middle of the night when you are half asleep. Simple modifications to the home could provide older or infirmed individuals the opportunity and/or means of remaining in their homes - within comfortable surroundings - in a dignified manner while adding to their safety and comfort.
Facts About Falls | Tips to Avoiding Falls
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