Falls are one of the most common accidents among older adults causing pain, bone fractures, paralysis and, in some cases, death. We assume that home would be the safest place for our loved ones but that is not necessarily true as 1 in 3 of the falls among older adults happen at home.  Here are 8 ways to increase the safety at home for our loved ones.

1.    Floor and Surface

Make sure that the floor is not slippery. Non-slip mats should be placed in the risk-prone areas such as in the bathtub or a shower. For the bathroom floor, small non-slip or patterned tiles are preferable as grout lines and the patterns help increase the slip-resistance, which can lower the risk of falling. In other areas, wood flooring or laminate flooring should be considered instead of tiles. The color of the floor should be different to the color of the walls as well.

2.    Wheelchair or Walking Frame Access

A ramp is important for a wheelchair or a walking frame user and should be considered in addition to or instead of stairs. The measurement of the ramp and landing area should be at least 90cm in width, 6m in length and the vertical rise should be no more than 5 degrees of incline.

3.    Bed Size

The recommended measurement of the bed for seniors is Length: 180cm x Height: 40cm (for the wheelchair) or not lower than their knee. Allow empty space of 90cm on each side of the bed to reduce any risk of falls and fractures while getting in and out of bed.

4.    Doorways

Choose a door that is at least 90cm wide or wider than a size of the wheelchair for easy access. It is also important to choose a door with a lever handle, instead of one with a door knob.

The lever handle requires less strength to operate which is more suitable for any family with elderly members.

5.    Handrails or Grab Bars

Handrails or grab bars are essential for any home with senior members. Adding the handrails and the grab bars is an effective solution to prevent the accidental falls. They should be installed in the areas such as staircase, bathroom and hallway. The installation should be set at least 80-100cm high. There are different types of handrails depending on the uses, for example, a short grab bar is for general balance support, a long straight rail for the hallway and the L or V shaped rail for lifting and balancing when getting up or sitting down.

6.    Lighting

Appropriate lighting should be provided in the bathroom, hallway, staircase and any other common fall-prone areas. It is recommended to use daylight bulbs as they provide a similar level of lighting to natural daylight.

The light switches should be reachable and auto-lit when switched on. The recommended size of the switch is 5 – 7.5cm and should be installed at the minimum height of 45cm but not more than 90cm. Remote control switch is also another good option to consider.

7. Furniture

A fall happens when you lose balance, for example, when you try to tiptoe to get something on the top of the shelf. When choosing furniture, it is important to opt for furniture that has flexible elements. A shelf, storage or clothes rack that has a height-adjustable option can help preventing a fall as it can be adjusted to the reachable level for seniors.

8. Emergency and Safety Alarms

Home safety alarms are recommended to increase the safety of the elderly living with you. The common ones to install includes  a pull-cord alarm in the toilet, a “nurse-call” button placed near the bed to call for help and an emergency alarm that can auto dial the pre-programmed numbers.

Seniors who are prone to accidental falls should have a fall risk assessment. The doctor will ask about the patient’s medical history and provide a medical assessment to check their balance, muscle strengths and visual impairment. After being assessed, intervention programs will be set up for each patient such as water therapy exercise, physical therapy or sessions on the Balance Master.

Home improvements can reduce the risks of falling for the elderly. However, accidents can happen. If a fall happens to your elderly members, bring them to hospital to have a bone X-ray immediately. Seniors’ bones are highly prone to fracture, especially hip and spinal bones.