Safety in the Home – Not Just for Mom!

Falls are the number one cause of injury for the over 65 set. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) research notes that one in three adults over 65 fall each year. The CDC also reports that the number one cause of death from injury over 65 is a fall. The direct medical cost of falls is $30 billion dollars a year. Falling when you are two or six is usually a bounce and a Band-Aid but when you are 75, it could be a broken hip and an entire change of lifestyle and loss of independence.

After a long trip to Europe I had an open suitcase on the bedroom floor and flew over it – slamming into a bookshelf and was lucky to only have a large bruise on my hip. It could have turned out differently!

Six tips to avoid those falls:

1) Start now at 40 or 50 to exercise regularly – start with something simple like walking or swimming. Do it with a friend and make it good for your mental health as well.
2) Be sure your exercise routine contains some element of balance and weight bearing.
3) Have your home checked by a specialist from a medical supply company or a Professional Care Manager or Physical Therapist trained at making homes “fall proof” or reducing trip hazards – if possible. It could be furniture or throw rugs that need to be removed or rails might need to be added.
4) If you remodel – make sure everything you do is “universal design” – ask your contractor for lever handles, grab bars and wide doorways to name a few. When I remodeled, we did a master bedroom shower that is glass blocks and had room for a wheel chair should either of us need it in the future.
5) Medications – if they make you dizzy, tell your doctor and avoid doing activities that could cause a fall or accident. If you have osteoporosis, get treated. Be sure your Vitamin D is adequate and calcium intake as well – ask your doctor to check these levels.
6) When you travel, always bring a night light (of course you have these in your home) and a small flash light that you keep close to your bed. It is also good to have an extra pair of glasses – just in case.

Stay safe and have a long healthy life – enjoying travel, pleasure and family. Avoid those falls by always thinking before reacting to any stimulus.

We have Professional Care Managers that can check mom’s house or yours – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!