Keeping Home a Safe Haven

As we get older, changes in balance, gait, strength, vision, hearing, and cognition make even the most youthful senior more prone to accidents. Falls can be a health risk for older people. This increased risk of falling is related to:

• Aging process (eg, decreased muscle strength, slowed reflexes)
• Higher incidence of chronic health problems (eg, arthritis, diabetes) that may limit mobility, agility, or sensory awareness
• Side effects of medicine (eg, dizziness, blurred vision)—especially medicines like prescription pain medicines and drugs used to treat mental health conditions

Depending on the brittleness of your bones, the consequences of a fall can be serious and long lasting.

Home Life

If you are an older adult, you may be able to prevent some home accidents by making simple lifestyle changes and basic modifications and repairs to the home environment. Here are some lifestyle changes that experts recommend:

• Have your hearing and vision checked regularly. Be sure to wear prescription glasses that are right for you.
• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of your medicines. A number of medicines can cause dizziness.
• If you have problems with sleep, talk to your doctor.
• Limit your intake of alcohol.
• If necessary, use a cane or walker to help maintain your balance.
• Wear supportive, rubber-soled shoes, even at home. If you live in a region that gets wintry weather, you may want to put special cleats on your shoes to prevent slipping on snow and ice.
• Exercise regularly to help maintain muscle tone, agility, and balance.
• Always hold the banister when going up or down stairs. Also, use grip bars when getting in or out of the bath or shower, or when using the toilet.
• To avoid dizziness, get up slowly from a lying down position. Sit up first, dangling your legs for a minute or two before rising to a standing position.

Overall Home Safety Check

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commision's "Older Consumer Home Safety Checklist," it is important to check for potential hazards in each room. And remember, proper lighting is an essential factor in home safety. If you cannot see clearly, you are more likely to fall.

Important questions to ask yourself include:

• Are lamp, electric, extension, and telephone cords placed out of the flow of traffic and maintained in good condition? Have frayed cords been replaced?
• Are all small rugs and runners slip resistant? If not, you can secure them to the floor with a special double-sided carpet tape.
• Are smoke detectors properly located—one on every floor of your home and one outside of every sleeping area? Are they in good working order? Are batteries replaced at least once a year?
• Do you have a well-maintained carbon monoxide detector outside every sleeping room?
• Does your furniture layout leave plenty of space to maneuver between and around chairs, tables, beds, and sofas?
• Are hallways, stairs, and passages between rooms well-lit? Can you reach a lamp without getting out of bed?
• Are floor surfaces well-maintained? Tile floors and polished wood floors can be particularly slippery. Stairs should always have handrails and be carpeted or fitted with a non-skid tread.
• Is your telephone easily reachable. Is the cord safely tucked away?

Room by Room

Fire Prevention

• When cooking, wear short-sleeved clothing, never a bulky long-sleeved robe.
• Check basements, garages, workshops, and storage areas for fire hazards, such as volatile liquids, piles of old rags, or clothing and overloaded circuits.
• Never smoke in bed or when lying down on a couch or recliner chair.
• Small portable electric or kerosene heaters are responsible for many home fires and should be used cautiously if at all. If you do use one, be sure to keep them away from flammable materials.
• In case of a fire, make sure you have a pre-established emergency exit plan.
• Have a professional check your fireplace and other fuel-burning appliances yearly.

Helping Hands

Talk with your doctor or assisted living personnel about items that may help you to be safe as you go about your day. These may include bathing and mobility aids, household security devices, ergonomically designed knives and peelers, and faucet valves and knobs for temperature control. Medical supply stores and organizations are also good sources of information about products that improve your quality of life and ensure your safety.