Preventing Falls at Home

Every year, 25 percent of America’s senior population is injured in a fall. It’s the leading cause of injury among our country’s older population, sending three million of them to the ER each year. It’s time we started doing more about preventing falls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a fifth of all falls lead to broken bones or head trauma. We spend tens of billions of dollars a year treating falls. Eliminating some of the falling hazards around the house could save millions in healthcare expenses.

Preventing Falls – An Ounce Of Prevention

It’s an insidious sort of injury: People who fall once often develop a fear of falling, which leads them to reduce their activity, making them weaker and susceptible to subsequent falls.

This doesn’t mean it’s a problem without hope. Installing a new stair lift is one way to avoid falling, but not the only way. You can use these steps to prevent falls in your home and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Keep your shoes on and avoid loose clothing

Sometimes you need to sacrifice comfort for safety. Going around with just socks on can cause you to slip, and baggy clothing presents a trip hazard. Look for clothing that doesn’t bunch up when you walk. And if wearing shoes all day seems too uncomfortable, look for some socks with non-slip grips.

2. Clear away clutter

A tidy home is a safer home. Clear away anything that’s blocking your path – particularly near stairs or in hallways – such as magazines or old newspapers.

3. Put in non-slip surfaces

Many falls happen in bathtubs, showers or on wet floors. Investing in non-slip mats can prevent a potentially fatal injury.

4. Remove trip hazards

Examine your rooms and hallways for things like loose carpeting and rugs or uneven floorboards. Repairing or replacing these problems can help you prevent a fall.

5. Add some light

Preventing falls at home is easier when you can see. Put in some brighter light bulbs, especially near steps and along narrow hallways. And consider putting nightlights in your bedroom and bathrooms.

6. Something to hold onto

Handrails and grab bars are essential to getting you in and out of the tub, on and off the toilet or up and down stairs. Some people even use them in hallways for extra precaution.

7. Go slow

Preventing falls at home means moving slowly and carefully. Try not to get up from sitting or lying down too fast.

8. Stay off the stairs

A stairway can be a safety hazard for some older people. And while some experts advise they try living on one floor, that may not always be practical.

And that’s where a stair lift can help.

Investing in a stair lift is a good way to reduce your risk of falling while holding onto your independence. A stair lift – also known as a chair lift – will allow you to remain at home and avoid serious and expensive renovations such as adding a bathroom, or turning a downstairs room into a bedroom.

If you’re thinking a stair lift is right for your home, contact Pennsylvania Stair Lifts today. We’ll be happy to help you make your home a safer place for you and your family.