Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Fall Precautions: 5 Safeguards to Avoid Falls in the Elderly

With the Center for Disease Control reporting that one out of every three people aged 65 and older experience a fall every year, it’s important to be aware of the dangers that could be lurking in your own home. Fall avoidance in the elderly is essential to ensuring the best quality of life for your loved one as they age in place.

Falls are not a rite of passage with aging; they can be avoided with a few small modifications in and around the home. Follow our 5 fall precautions for the elderly:

Download Free Home Safety Guide

  1. Tape down all area rugs. Area rugs are a major trip-hazard. If they’re not properly secured to the floor, they’re likely to buckle or roll up at the corners, which create hot spots for falls.
  2. De-clutter main thoroughfares. The chaos of daily life can make it easy for clutter to pile up, but shoes, newspapers, clothes, books, etc. all contribute to the risk of falls for elderly adults.
  3. Place nightlights in hallways and stairwells. As we age, we make more frequent trips to the restroom, especially during the night. To reduce tripping hazards (and account for limited vision), place nightlights in hallways leading to the bathroom. Also, make sure each step on the stairwell is well-lit to help seniors more easily navigate the stairs after dark.
  4. Add non-slip mats in the kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen and bathroom are two places where it’s common to find water on the floor. The same way that custodians know to put up “Slippery when wet” signs on the floors of public spaces, it’s important to safeguard your elderly loved one from the dangers of falls in these areas. Non-slip mats near the sinks and bathtub/shower will greatly reduce the risk of falls.
  5. Consider safety supports. Whether you need to add an additional railing on the stairs or install grab bars in the bathroom, make sure to do a full assessment of your loved one’s needs. An Occupational Therapist would be able to help you figure out your exact needs for the house, ensuring that your loved one will remain safe in the home.

While it’s possible to do everything in your power to safeguard your home and avoid elderly falls from occurring, it’s almost impossible to guarantee that they’ll never take a spill. When that happens it’s important to know that your loved one will have access to help, day or night. Medical alert devices can provide you and your loved one with the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 monitoring services. While these devices can’t stop falls from happening, they can keep you safe when they do.

Hilary Young is the Communications Manager for Medical Guardian. She helps to keep baby boomers and their loved ones educated about their health and well-being. She is also a regular contributor to the Medical Guardian Blog, the Huffington Post, and BlogHer.com.

For more information, please review our Elderly Fall Resources.

Categories