According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the Number One cause of injury for seniors. They can result in hip fractures or serious head injuries leaving seniors to avoid activities out of fear of falling again.  The most common place a fall will occur, however, is in the home, where you ironically feel the safest.  This is why the first step towards fall prevention lies in creating a safe home.

Here are a few tips on creating a safer living environment:

1.     Remove tripping hazards.  Look at every room and hallway to find any loose items that can result in slips.  This can include loose rugs, carpets or flimsy floorboards.  Repair or remove these elements and replace them if needed.

2.     Clean it up!  No more clutter!  Keep your home clean.  Do not leave any clothes or stacks of various items lying around.  Make sure everything is out of your walking path so it has no chance of tripping you up!

3.     Grab bars and handrails.  Safety devices are certainly something to invest in and can be crucial in aiding with climbing stairs or getting in and out of the bathroom.

4.     Lighting.  Make sure you are able to see clearly in your home.  Proper lighting is not only important on a film set, it is also important to your well being!  Install bright light bulbs in your hallways or stairways to ensure you will always see where you are going and what is in your space that needs to be avoided or utilized.

5.     Nonslip mats.  Any area that has the potential of being wet or slippery should be ensured with a bathmat or nonslip mat.  This can go in your bathtub, your bathroom in general, or your kitchen if you feel the need.

6.     Move carefully and thoughtfully.  Many falls occur from moving too quickly from a sitting to a standing position.  One of the most important ways to prevent falls is to take your time.

When you aren't as steady on your feet as you used to be, these tips should help you overcome some of that worry you might be feeling every day.  Reach out to loved ones and see if they can help you make these simple but effective changes to your home for long lasting results and peace of mind.

For more information, please visit NCOA.org

This Article was written and provided by Katy Johnson, our M4A Falcon Scholar