There’s an old saying that with age comes wisdom.
Whether you are sharing your home with older parents or if you are yourself an older adult, there’s no better time than now to take a quick minute to review this checklist to help prevent trips or falls around your home.
Why does it matter?
According to the National Safety Council, every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room after a fall. Aging can compromise vision, strength and balance. But there are some things you can do to make falls in your home less likely:
Starting with the basics
Start with the basics.
Start by clearing out the clutter. Remove pet supplies, toys, electrical/extension cords and other random objects from the floor. Throw rugs can be a tripping hazard as well, so it’s a good idea to either get rid of the rugs, donate them to a worthy cause or secure them to the floor somehow so that they don’t slip around.
Consider your furry friends too.
Don’t forget about your pet(s). We all love our furry friends. However, keeping a pet in a secure area can reduce the risk of someone tripping on the animal. The last thing you want is “man’s best friend” running around underfoot when you’re least expecting it.
Around the house
Widen the aisles.
Rearranging furniture to provide wider paths and make it easier to walk around the rooms is a good idea too. Start with a path that is a little wider than you think it needs to be. You can always move things closer later.
Watch out for the stairs.
We’ve all been somewhere with a creaky railing. Installing secure railings on both sides of all stairs and staircases is well worth it. Make sure that there are not any holes in carpeting around the stairs and that everything is firmly secured.
Shower power.
If you have an older parent sharing your home with you, or if they are living on their own, it makes sense to install grab bars inside and outside of the bathtubs and showers, and also right next to the toilet. Adding a hand-held shower head and even taking it a step further to install a comfortable shower chair will make bathing safer and easier.
Lighting makes a big difference.
Increase lighting inside and outside the home, which can help older adults with decreased vision. Also, ensure there is enough lighting available if they get up in the middle of the night. Speaking of vision, it’s especially important for older adults to have their eyes checked each year and keep eyeglass prescriptions up to date.
We can help.
It’s true, none of us are getting any younger.
And there’s nothing wrong with taking a couple extra steps now to prevent trips and falls around our home. Reach out to us today, or message us on Facebook, we’d love to chat about other options you may have to make sure that your home is as safe as possible for your loved ones.
Have A Question?
Call us today at: (920) 596-3355
Sandie (Sandra) Wilz is the owner and an agent at Eastling Insurance in Manawa, Wisconsin. She is passionate about educating clients and prospects on what their insurance coverages mean and how having the correct coverage can give the client the peace of mind they would expect from their insurance protection. Sandie can be reached at (920) 596-3355.