10 Steps to Make the House Fall-Proof for Seniors

Falling is the leading cause of accidents, injury and even death in the elderly. One-third of the aged people above 65 report a fall annually. In the U.S., approx. 9500 elderly citizens die of falls each year. In India, the prevalence of falls among the elderly has been estimated at 14-53%. Around 75% of the falls of elders occur in and around their home. So it is absolutely essential to fall-proof the area where elders reside, be it their own or senior independent living home.

Why is elderly fall prevention so important in assisted living facilities?

Home safety for seniors has to be ensured compulsorily in assisted living facilities because falls can cause great damages to senior health like these- 

• 87% of all the fractures in elders are due to falls
• For elders aged 60-65, one out of every 200 falls ends in a hip fracture.
• For elders aged 80 and older, one in every 10 falls results in a hip fracture.
• One-fourth of the elders who suffer a hip fracture due to a fall die within 6 months of the injury.
• 47% of the seniors who fall cannot get up on their own without help. For them, the time spent immobile results in grave consequences as muscle cell breakdown begins 30-60 minutes of compression on falling.
• After a fall. elders suffer complications like pressure or bed sores, dehydration, hypothermia and even pneumonia.
• Falls also cause immobility for elders hampering their daily routine. This results in the loss of independence leading to social isolation, loneliness and depression.

All these above factors necessitate the need for fall-proofing the home after a home safety assessment.

Steps to achieve home safety for seniors with elderly fall prevention.

Undertake the following check measures to ensure elderly fall prevention at your senior independent living home.

Check the 

1. Front steps- If the front steps are broken, wobbly, damaged or uneven, repair them at once. 
2. Entrance lighting- Let the entrance and all the pathways be well-lit. 
3. Stairs, steps, pathways, hallways - Install handrails by the side of steps, stairs, hallways and pathways for elders to grab onto as they walk. 
4. Carpets, rugs and bathmats- Ensure that all floor-covering like rugs and mats are firmly fixed to the floor with strip tapes to prevent slipping. 
5. Floor area for clutter- Remove all clutter from the floor, steps and stairs like shoes, books etc. 
6. Cords and wires - All the loose electrical cords and telephone wires should be secured and fastened away from the floor. 
7. Kitchen and bedroom shelves- Keep all the daily use items within easy reach. 
8. Bathroom for wet floors- Ensure the bathroom is always clean and dry. Install a handrail near the door, bathtub and sink for elders to hold on. Fix a seat near the sink for brushing and shaving. Ensure the bathroom is well-lit during both night and day. 
9. Switches- Place all switches near the doors for easy access for elders. 
10. Bedroom- Keep a flashlight and telephone by the bed for easy access. Install a bed rail by the bed for elders to hold on to while getting in and out of bed. Fix a bright night light that shows the way from the bed to the bathroom clearly. 

Apart from this, check the elder's vision regularly and always keep the home free of spills and leaks. Good lighting, de-cluttering, dry flooring and support systems like handrails and bedrails help to ensure home safety for seniors. Every assisted living facility should make a periodical home safety assessment to ensure elderly fall prevention. 

Elders' safety is always the first priority of any trusted senior independent living home.