BA50 TalkersAs we get older, the risk of suffering from falls around the home can increase, and this can be due to a number of reasons. Falls can be distressing, but they can also be very dangerous. Many elderly people end up in hospital each year because they have fallen in their homes. Here are some tips to keep in mind to prevent falls and stay safer at home as you get older.
Fall Proof Your Home
One of the most important steps to take if you want to reduce the risk of falling in your home is to make sure your home is as fall proof as possible. There are a number of ways that you can do this.
Firstly, make sure that you choose a safe material for your floors, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. This could include non-slip tiles or rubber mats in the math.
You could also install special devices throughout your home to provide you with more support. For example, you could install grab bars in the bath and shower, as well as support bars on the stairs.
Make sure you wear a good pair of shoes in the home, preferably ones with non-slip soles. And also make sure you tidy up cables and flatten any areas where carpets and rugs are sticking up, because these can also pose a risk.
The government also provides some good information about preventing falls that you may want to read through.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Whenever you or someone else spills food or drink in your home, make sure you clean it up immediately. If you forget about it, it could present a hazard later on.
Slips on spilled liquids in the bathroom and kitchen can be very dangerous, and can result in serious injury. So always make a habit of stopping what you are doing and cleaning it up before you or someone else slips on it.
Watch Out for Warning Signs
If you notice yourself feeling dizzy or faint on a regular basis, make sure you tell someone about it, and visit your doctor. This could be due to a number of reasons, including the medication you are taking, or a health condition that has not been diagnosed. Don’t ignore the signs because this could increase your risk of falling.
Stay Strong by Exercising Regularly
Make sure you get some regular exercise to keep your muscles strong, as recommended here. It is especially important to do exercises that work on your balance. One such exercise is yoga, so look for a local class for elderly people and join up, and this can help you to reduce the risk of falling.
Be Careful When You Go Out
Even if your home is fall proof, you may not find the same is true when you visit someone else’s home or go to the shops. Whenever you are out and about, take special care to avoid falling. It may not be your fault, but it can still be distressing and dangerous.
And if you do fall over through the fault of someone else, remember that you may be able to take legal action (talk to an experienced lawyer like those at hcalawyers.com.au for more info on this).
Don’t Risk Falling Over
Unfortunately, falls are something that increase in risk as we get older. But you can reduce the risk by following these tips and being careful wherever you go, whether that is at home or when you are out and about. Falls can cause serious problems and they can be very distressing, so make sure you are doing everything you can to avoid them.
Niamh Hargreaves is a health and safety officer at work, a role which is becoming more frequent in her home life too with trying to look after her aging parents. Niamh enjoys blogging in her spare time, getting her thoughts down on paper (screen)!