According to the National Council for Aging Care, every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Simple strategies implemented around your house could help prevent a fall. Here are a few tips from a Physical Therapist to increase safety and decrease the risks of falls in your home:
- Proper lighting- Add night lights
- Removal of throw rugs
- Always wear shoes with non-skid soles
- It is ideal to have at least one railing on each wall that is stable when going up or down the stairs
- Mark or highlight any areas of your home that are raised or where there are changes in height. You can use colored tape or paint to increase awareness
- Install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom and shower. You can also purchase a ½ Bed rail or bed cane to make it easier and safer to get in and out of bed.
- You can obtain a raised toilet seat or shower chair as needed.
- Place a phone in each room or look into getting an emergency alert response system.
- Eliminate any cluttered areas and make sure all electrical cords are running behind furniture.
- Arrange commonly used items near your bed such as phone, glasses, remote, lamps, etc.
We at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy provide skilled and trained physical and occupational therapists who would love to help make your home safe. In addition, a skilled therapy program to address deficits in strength and balance will promote fall prevention also!
Contact Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to get your therapy started today!
Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Great Neck: 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Farmingdale: 516-420-2900
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy: 516-829-0030
Sources:
Occupational Therapy Geriatric Group Department of Rehabilitation Science University of Buffalo (January 1 2017). Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool. Retrieved from https://sphhp.buffalo.edu/content/sphhp/rehabilitation-science/research-and-facilities/funded-research/aging/home-safety-self-assessment-tool/_jcr_content/par/download_526197706/file.res/HSSAT-v.5-1-12-17.pdf
National Council For Aging Care (2018) Fact Sheet: Falls- The biggest threat to senior health and safety. Retrieved from https://www.aging.com/falls-fact-sheet/
Author
Dr. Jessica Armillay, DPT
Dr. Jessica Armillay, DPT graduated from Misericordia University in 2016 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She recently relocated to New York and is very excited to continue her career as a physical therapist with Reddy Care! Jessica has been working as a physical therapist for over 2 years with the majority of time spent in an outpatient facility. Jessica enjoys treating a variety of conditions and working with many different people. Her favorite part of physical therapy is creating a relationship with patients and working to help them achieve their goals to get back to doing the things they love the most!
