According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as the American population ages, more and more older adults are being injured from falls. In fact, by the year 2030, they estimate an unbelievable seven people will die every hour from a fall. According to the National Safety Council, the current statistics are an older adult dies every 20 minutes from a fall. Even if a fall isn't fatal, it can dramatically reduce the quality of life. Almost all hip injuries are caused by falling, and a fall is also the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. A study by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research found that women between the ages of 65-69 who broke a hip had a five-fold increase of dying within the following year.
Home health services allow seniors to stay in their home rather than going to a nursing home or assisted care facility. A home health service can also help ensure seniors are safe in their homes. Here are three ways to reduce the likelihood of falling.
Minimize And Downsize
An accumulation of clutter is not only a tripping hazard, it can also be a fire hazard. Everyone has stuff that is important to them, if only for sentimental reasons. But if your safety can be compromised because there is too much clutter, it's time to start going through things and purging.
If you have adult children or other family members nearby, ask them to donate some of their time helping you de-clutter. Make a pile for things to save, things to throw away, and things to either bequeath, sell or donate. Purging now will also save your heirs from having to do it all later, plus you can enjoy giving your things away now.
Get Rid Of Your Rugs
Area rugs are a magnet for tripping. Carpeting can also be hazardous, so if at all possible, consider having that ripped up as well. Tile can also be problematic. Don't wear shoes in the house as studies have been done that have shown a clear link between falls and wearing shoes in the home. Toe caps and rubber soles can catch on carpeting or provide an exaggerated sense of stability. Consider going barefoot or wearing slipper socks with slip-resistant grippers.
Add Railings
A railing by your shower or bathtub is a must, but you may also want to have an assessment done on the rest of your house. Additional railings may be needed by your bed, chair, or other areas in the home that could be potentially problematic.
For more information, contact a company such as Tender Care, Inc.
Share12 June 2018
After thinking about various ways to improve my home, I decided that it would be awesome to make my place suitable to care for relatives who were having a hard time with their health. I started talking with my mother's nurses and doctors about how they could live with me, and within a few days, I had made some powerful changes that really improved my home. For instance, I installed a safety bar in the bathroom and anti-slip rugs throughout my home. I wanted to start a great new website that centered around creating a solid home health care plan. Check out these posts to learn more.
