Out of all the risks associated with old age, falling is the most common and severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every five falls causes grave injuries, including head injuries and broken bones.
September being fall prevention awareness month, it's crucial to have helpful information to help older persons reduce the risks of falls. Here is a guide for rails and bars that can be installed throughout your home in Lexington, Nicholasville, Shelbyville, or Georgetown in Kentucky to prevent slips, falls, or similar accidents.
1. Install Rails and Grab Bars
As we age, our strength, vision, and balance decline, making it challenging to navigate through staircases, stoops, and steps. Grab bars or grab rails are safety devices that enable or maintain balance and reduce fatigue while standing.
Installing grab rails around the house will help an older individual to be more stable when walking around the house. They can be installed in the following places:
- Bathroom, showers, bathtubs, and around the toilet
- Hallways
- Entryways
- Stairways
Standard towel racks differ from grab bars in that the former can't hold the weight of an adult, increasing the risk of breaking and causing a fall.
2. Add a Safety Bar Near the Bed
Getting in and out of bed can be challenging for an older adult, increasing the chances of slipping and falling. Adding a well-fitted safety bar near the bed provides extra support for the individual to get in or out of bed independently.
However, it's important to note that a safety bar near the bed doesn't translate to a bed rail. A bed rail can prevent rolling and falling out of the bed when installed correctly. However, older adults with conditions such as delirium, agitation, and uncontrolled body movement, and those requiring assistance going to the toilet are at a higher risk of injury from the bed rails.
3. Install a Ramp
For exterior steps in Lexington, Nicholasville, Shelbyville, and Georgetown, using a ramp is better than using the stairs as it requires less joint rotation and leg extensor power. In addition, for those using wheelchairs to move around, a wheelchair ramp can be a preventative tool that may impact their longevity.
When installing the ramp, ensure it's not too steep, as it will become dangerous when used with an older adult without supervision.
Other additions you may add at home to prevent slips and falls for seniors include:
- Using a reacher to pick items on a higher place
- Install non-slip pads on the stairs
- Put nightlights everywhere around the home
- Install an elevated toilet seat for fall protection
- Have cord protectors to secure any loose wires and cords from lamps and other electronic devices
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Senior Helpers provides specialized and companion care to older adults to give them peace of mind. We serve people in Lexington, Nicholasville, Shelbyville, and Georgetown in Kentucky. Contact us today as we specialize in handling older individuals who require Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Dementia, chronic disease, and companionship care.