Home for the Holidays | How to Live Happier + Safer Preventing Falls At Home This Holiday Season

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s time to visit our friends and family.  Pay close attention to seniors and those with chronic illnesses.  As you make your rounds, look around the house.  Is it a safe place to live, free of clutter or other fall hazards?  Start by helping to create a safe living environment.  According to EverydayHealth, 30% – 40% of older adults fall at least once a year. Next, help establish some kind of regular movement or exercise.  Research shows that achieving a minimum of 50 hours of exercise over a six month period can effectively reduce the risk of falls for seniors. Although falls can occur anywhere, most recorded falls take place in the home. Here are a few tips on how to help your loved live happier and safer at home this holiday season.

Make your home clutter-free:

Cleaning up clutter, removing small furniture, pet gear and electrical cords are some ways to prevent falls at home. One of the easiest ways to prevent falls is to maintain a clean and clear home.

Utilize safety devices:

Devices such as grab bars and handrails can play a critical role for seniors going up and down the stairs. Grab bars can also assist in getting on and off the toilet as well as stepping in and out of the bathtub.

Consider filling out a home safety evaluation:

As your loved one gets older, the concern for their safety grows and can be worrisome for most individuals. A good first step to start verifying that a loved one is safe at home is by filling out a home care safety evaluation. These are available through most home health care or outpatient services. If you do not have home health care, call a local Physical Therapy or Occupational Clinic to find out what the best option for you is. A few questions that are likely to appear on a home care safety evaluation include:

1. Does your hands easily wrap completely around the rail?
2. Is there a night light lighting the path to the bathroom?
3. Are lamps, extension cords and phone cords out of the flow of foot traffic?
4. Can you reach the most-often used items without a step-stool?
5. Do you need a bath seat/bench?

Enroll in Home Health Care:

If you are not already enrolled, consider applying for home health care to assist with the demands of daily household chores and caring for someone who may be disabled, ill, or aged. Home health care is a safe and affordable way to monitor the health of a loved one, while allowing them to stay in the comfort of their own homes. With the help of a home health aide, seniors can enjoy daily assistance and personalized care to preserve the best quality of life possible.

Older adults living with others, compared to those who live alone, have an increased chance of re-hospitalization due to falls, among other causes. At Spring Hills Senior Communities, our Signature Touches program is designed to adhere to the unique needs of each and every individual. By providing fall management seminars that are focused on educating our clients and staff on various safety procedures and precautions, we are able to help minimize the risk of  falls.