Falls are a frequent cause of accident or injury to older adults. Age related changes to vision, walking ability, and balance contribute to the prevelance of falls within the senior population. The Pope Institute Retirement Life by Design™ - Living Well Home Safety and Fall Prevention Checklist provides guidance on making a home senior friendly by helping to reduce the risk of falling and increasing senior safety.
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□ Remove unsecured throw rugs or add non-skid gripping beneath them
□ Remove or tape the perimeter of large area rugs that cannot be removed but may catch the legs of a walker or tip of a shoe
□ Remove electric cords from walking paths
□ Place solar nightlights in hallways and bathrooms
□ Install grab bars of the appropriate diameter, texture, and orientation in internal and external stairs and long hallways
□ If a step stool is appropriate, consider one with a tall hand rail that supports balance
□ Install grab bars of the appopriate diameter, texture, and angle in the bathroom
□ Place push-on or clap on lights at a senior’s bedside to aid with vision during nightime toileting trips
□ If young children live with a senior, reinforce the importance of keeping toys off the floor by providing toy chests and using consistent toy organization and storage measures
□ Place interior motion sensing lights in the bathroom and rooms where light switches are not immediately adjacent to the entry door.
