With age, a person’s mobility takes a hit. What this means is that their movements won’t be as sharp and controlled as they used to be when they were younger, and also their balancing abilities degrade. This makes the elderly more vulnerable to trips and falls.
Research shows that 4 out of 10 senior citizens are likely to trip and fall every year. Out of these four, two will most probably face serious injuries or discomfort as a consequence of the accident. Therefore, it is important that we make our living spaces trip resistant and fall-proof to ensure our elderly stay safe.
Following are a few ways to do so:
Cable Covers
Unarranged and loose wires could increase the risk of trips and falls along with electrical hazards. You should get equipment such as cable covers to keep your wires collected and organised in place. You can also check out the various options available in cable covers and similar fixes on the portals of expert providers such as TripSafe.
Secure carpets/rugs:
Ensure that no floor dressings are loose or slippery. You could use adhesives to secure them firmly in place. Wrinkles or folds should also be straightened to make the floor more firm and bump-free. You can also install absorbing floor mats on the entrance of bathrooms, which would further go a step ahead in ensuring that the uncovered floor is not wet and slippery.
If you have used carpets to conceal unattended or broken areas of the floor or unorganised cable covers, then it is important that you also fix the ground underneath. A shabby carpeting job would make for an uneven carpet, which may conceal the undesirable floor and wiring, but could lead to undesirable hazards.
Proper housekeeping:
We all get lazy sometimes and that laziness could be a potential threat for our family members. Broken staircases or steps should be fixed on a priority basis. Any eatables and drinks that may have spilled on the kitchen floor need to be cleared right away. You should also install proper lighting devices around the house to minimise the risk of poor vision.
Moreover, stuffing the stairways or the walking area with a lot of goods can also lead to obstructed movement, and therefore, it may pose difficulties for the elderly. As an efficient housekeeper, the responsibility is on you to declutter, organise, and maintain your house in accordance with safety standards.
The right equipment
A well-fitting pair of shoes and sturdy walking supports such as walkers and canes could help the elderly with their movements. A reacher should also be made available for them to access objects kept at a distance. Moreover, safety equipment to evacuate the house during an emergency is a must.
Also ensure that the furniture of the property, especially in their particular room, is not too pointy or complex. You could also consult their physician or chiropractor to understand the equipment that would be beneficial for your elderly parents
Extra care for risky areas
Research shows that over 75% of falls happen in the kitchen or the bathroom of a house, out of which slippery bathroom floor causes the majority of the damage or injuries to the elderly. You could install sidebars for them to hold while taking a shower.
Slippery tiles should be replaced with more coarse, rough, and textured tiles that not only offer various design options but also more sturdiness and grip on the ground. Furthermore, staircases without support railings on both sides are extremely risky.
Trips and falls could lead to major injuries such as hip bone fracture, knee fracture, leg impairment, ligament tear, etc. Therefore, you must always remember that prevention is better than cure!
Related Posts
