1. General Home Safety
Clear Pathways and Safe Flooring
Remove clutter: Ensure that all walkways, hallways, and living areas are free from items like cords, shoes, and loose rugs that can cause tripping. Studies show that tripping hazards are one of the most common causes of falls at home (Gillespie et al., 2012).
Secure rugs and carpets: Use non-slip backing on rugs or remove them altogether. Loose rugs should be secured or replaced with stable, slip-resistant options.
Adequate lighting: Ensure all areas of the home are well-lit, particularly hallways, stairs, and bathrooms. Low lighting increases the risk of falls due to reduced visibility. The CDC recommends the use of nightlights in hallways and bathrooms to reduce fall risk (CDC, 2021).
Use high-contrast colors: Paint steps, doorways, and edges of furniture in high-contrast colors to help individuals with impaired vision see hazards more clearly (Baker et al., 2018).
Furniture and Arrangement
Stable furniture: Ensure that furniture is stable and free of sharp corners. Furniture should be positioned to allow clear pathways for movement.
Avoid slippery surfaces: Treat or replace slippery floors in areas like the kitchen and bathroom with slip-resistant alternatives, including rubber mats or textured tiles.
2. Bathroom Safety
Shower/Bathtub Modifications
Install grab bars: Place grab bars in strategic locations, such as near the shower, tub, and toilet. Studies have demonstrated that grab bars can significantly reduce fall risk in bathrooms (Alamgir et al., 2015).
Non-slip mats: Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower to prevent slipping. Mats should have a strong grip on the floor and not shift when stepped on.
Shower chair: A shower chair or bench can provide a stable sitting option for individuals who have difficulty standing for long periods, reducing the risk of falls in the shower.
Toilet Safety
Raised toilet seat: Consider installing a raised toilet seat with armrests for added stability, especially for individuals with joint pain or mobility issues. Research suggests that elevated toilet seats can reduce strain and decrease fall risks (Wahl et al., 2005).
3. Bedroom Safety
Bed and Bedroom Area
Safe bed height: Ensure the bed is at an appropriate height—neither too high nor too low. A bed that's too low can be difficult to get in and out of, and a bed that's too high increases the risk of falls when getting in or out of it.
Nightlights: Place nightlights near the bed and in the pathway leading to the bathroom to ensure visibility when moving around at night.
Remove obstacles: Ensure there is nothing obstructing the path between the bed and bathroom. Cords, furniture, or other obstructions can be dangerous in the dark or when someone is disoriented.
4. Stairs and Steps Safety
Staircase Modifications
Secure handrails: Install sturdy handrails on both sides of the stairs if possible. This can provide stability while ascending or descending and reduce the risk of falls. Research has shown that handrails can reduce the risk of falls by providing extra support (Gillespie et al., 2012).
Ensure step visibility: Steps should be clearly visible. Mark the edges of each step with brightly colored tape or paint, especially if the stairs are steep or poorly lit.
Non-slip treads: Add non-slip treads or adhesive strips to stairs to improve traction. Slippery stairs contribute to falls, particularly in areas where moisture may be present.
5. Lighting and Environmental Factors
Adequate Lighting
Install motion-sensor lighting: Motion-sensor lights in areas like hallways, bathrooms, and entryways can help eliminate the need for individuals to fumble for light switches, reducing the chance of falls.
Use brighter bulbs: Ensure that light bulbs are strong enough to provide adequate illumination in commonly used areas, especially areas prone to falls, such as stairways, the kitchen, and the bathroom.
Proper Vision Aids
Regular eye exams: Encourage regular eye exams for everyone in the household, particularly older adults. Vision impairment significantly increases the risk of falling. A study by the National Institute on Aging (2013) highlights that poor vision is a major contributing factor to fall incidents in older adults.
Remove glare: Ensure that windows are covered with blinds or curtains to prevent sunlight glare, which can impair vision and increase the risk of falling.
6. Kitchen and Dining Room Safety
Flooring and Clutter
Keep floors clean: Spills in the kitchen should be cleaned immediately. A wet or greasy floor increases the risk of slipping and falling.
Secure chairs: Ensure that dining room chairs are stable and not likely to tip over. Avoid chairs with wheels that may slide unexpectedly.
Storage and Organization
Store items at an accessible height: Store items that are frequently used at waist level to avoid bending or reaching. This prevents the risk of losing balance when retrieving objects from shelves or cabinets.
Avoid step stools: If possible, avoid using step stools or ladders in the kitchen. Instead, use a sturdy step ladder with handrails if higher shelves need to be accessed.
7. Mobility Assistance
Use of Mobility Aids
Ensure proper fit: If using a walker or cane, ensure that the device is the right height and is in good condition. Mobility aids should be checked regularly to ensure they are not broken or worn out, as faulty equipment can lead to falls.
Keep aids within reach: Ensure that walkers, canes, or other mobility aids are kept within easy reach, especially near the bed or bathroom.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Encourage strength and balance exercises: Regular physical activity can improve strength, balance, and flexibility, which reduces the risk of falling. Evidence-based exercise programs such as Tai Chi have been shown to reduce falls in older adults (Sherrington et al., 2016).
8. Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Contacts
Emergency phone numbers: Keep a list of emergency contacts in an easily accessible location, such as by the phone or on a wall near the entryway. This ensures that help can be contacted quickly if a fall occurs.
Medical alert systems: Consider investing in a medical alert system that allows individuals to call for help quickly if they fall or are at risk of falling.