Preventing Falls at Home: Essential Tips for Those in The Second Half of Life
Maintaining a safe, secure home is always one of the best ways to prevent injuries at home. The older we get, the more serious injuries from a fall can be so making sure you are being conscious of potential hazards and addressing them is important. At Golden Home Management, we want to help you make your home as safe as it can be. Starting with some suggestions of things in your home to consider upgrading to prevent falls at home.
Look Around Your Home – What Do You See?
As we live in our own homes every day, our mind naturally fills in what we’re seeing from memory instead of actively using our sight. This is why it’s easy to overlook potential trip hazards or other safety concerns that need to be addressed. And the longer you live in your home the more things you will acquire – that’s just science. Take some time to declutter any areas where some of the extra things tend to wind up. You might have extra chairs or ottomans you don’t use regularly. Those should be stored away to keep walkways clear.
Any loose cords or wires should be bundled with cord organizers if necessary and removed from any area people will walk through. All rugs should have non-slip backing or be secured to the floor with double-sided tape. General home maintenance also plays a big role in keeping your home safe. Uneven steps, loose floorboards, and burned out lightbulbs should be repaired or replaced right away. Our monthly maintenance plan can help with that as well – ask us for details.
Make Some Small Modifications
One of the best ways to prevent falls is to increase visibility. Make sure that all areas of your home have adequate lighting. Hallways and stairways both tend to be darker than other rooms, so you may need install some additional lighting. Motion activated lights near your baseboards are a great idea for lighting the way to the bathroom and kitchen at night. That way you can always see where you’re going without having to turn on lights even when you’re half asleep.
Staircases should always have sturdy handrails that are securely anchored to provide support while going up and down. Rails on both sides are a great idea. If you’re not sure how sturdy yours are, we can help with getting those inspected to be sure they can catch you if you lose your footing.
It probably comes as no surprise that bathrooms are a common room for people to slip and fall in their homes: hard surfaces plus wet conditions can make for a slippery combination. Showers and bathtubs should either have slip resistant flooring or non-slip mats to keep your balance solid. Adding grab bars in your shower and near your toilet gives you a way to steady yourself if you start to lose your balance. You should consider adding a handheld showerhead, too. They just make it easy to rinse without needing to play a game of Twister with your shower.
Keeping your home well-maintained is a continuous process and considering safety is a key part of it. It can feel like a burden, but we’re here to relieve that stress. We can help you with every aspect of home maintenance and any repairs or modifications you may want to have completed. Give us a call, our job is to make your life easier.