Fall Prevention in the Elderly – What Home Tips Can You Employ?

Published on: 17 May 2022 Last Updated on: 18 February 2025

Every year there are around 6,000 deaths through accidents at home, with senior members of the family facing some of the most significant risks from falling, according to RoSPA statistics.

This is the reason most health clinics are giving training to their staff on fall prevention in the elderly.

Of course, we spend much of our time at home, and looking after our safety both in our house and garden is key to avoiding many accidents, falls, or other harm that we face with hazards around the home.

9 Fall Prevention Tips In The Elderlies

Here we look at some of the measures you or your life in carer can take to make being at home safer and reduce the risk of an accident.

For fall prevention in the elderly, you will require a very systematic infrastructure and execution process.

Here are nine fall prevention at home in the elderly tips.

1. Maintain A Clean And Tidy Space

Keep the place tidy and avoid leaving items on the floor as they can easily be trip hazards to fall over. Leaving a magazine on the floor rather than placing it on a coffee table can easily mean anyone of unsure footing or wearing socks slips on it as they get up from sitting.

2. Enough Lights On The Troubled Areas Like Stairs

Ensure adequate lighting shows any features well, so hallways and stairs are well lit. Use night lighting to ensure adequate guidance for moving around at night.

For fall prevention in the elderly, you have to organize the whole living area systematically. For example, many of the house areas are risky and dark. You have to design those areas carefully. Enough lights are never bad.

3. Keep Wearing The Non-Slip Socks

Wear shoes or non-slip socks to prevent slipping on non carpeted falls. They can also protect feet should you nudge furniture helping to reduce the occasions you hurt yourself or fall over.

Non Slip socks and nonslip shoes are great options for fall prevention in the elderly. Wearing these socks are keeping your feet protected, and you can easily avoid sudden fillings.

4. Maintain A Single Level Flooring

Add grab bars and handrails where there are changes in flooring levels, as well as to help get onto and off the toilet safely.

Baths and stairs are safer if you have well-fitted grab bars to help you move safely. Enlist a live-in carer to help you if you feel you need more assistance.

5. Loose Clothing Is A Serious Trouble Maker

Avoid clothing that is too loose. For example, if you have wide baggy legged trousers or excessively flowing sleeves, failing to grip or hold on securely or tripping on excess fabric is another major cause of falls in the home.

Avoiding dragging or bunched up clothing helps in fall prevention in the elderly.

6. Avoid Making The Surface Too Slippery

Flooring and slippery surfaces are hazardous for many to slip or fall, even when wearing proper footwear and clothing, and especially when wet.

Ensure bathrooms, kitchens, and porches with slippery floors are covered to reduce dangers. Add a mat or carpet to make them safer to walk on and give fall prevention to the elderly.

7. Rails and Holding Anchors In The Restroom Areas

Bathtubs and showers may need additional grab rails and matting to ensure that slick surfaces are safer to use.

Ask for help. Many accidents at home arise from falling in the bath or shower, so a helping hand from a live-in carer can help keep you safe.

8. Install The Stairlifts And Avoid Too Much Stair Climbing

If you are finding stairs difficult, remove the need to use them.

Consider installing a stairlift and looking for ways to reduce the number of times you need to go up and down each day as much as possible or if you can move to live on one level.

9. Take Time For Walking

Lastly, give yourself time. Don’t be in a rush. Many people fall by not taking enough care or time before they move after standing up or before taking the first step on the stairs going up or coming down and end up falling, this is another major cause of falling at home.

Convinced a live-in carer could be a good fall prevention strategy? Why not take a look at this list of live-in care agencies so you or your family can find just the right carer for your needs so you can remain in your home safely.

Conclusion:

All of these fall prevention in the elderly nine tips are effective for fall prevention at home. Usually, the older adults are not going outside, and as a result, 90% of the accidents among older adults happen in their home locations. Home is a secure space. Almost 100% of the people are well aware of their homes and whereabouts. Even any blind person can walk into the houses securely. All of these tips will help you with the fall precautions and develop a house plan which is safe for elderly people.

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Fall Prevention in the Elderly – What Home Tips Can You Employ?