Reducing Fall Risk for Seniors Through the Three H’s: Home, Health, and Habits

Falling is a preventable and dangerous accident that becomes more likely as a person ages. Vision changes, less muscle tone, and aches and pains can make moving harder. If aging in place is your goal or that of a senior in your life, here’s how to reduce fall risks.

Falls Are a Health Hazard

As noted by the US Centers for Disease Control, three million older people visit the ER for falls each year.

Unfortunately, the falls can cause more than just bruises. In older adults, they also increase the risk of health complications, including hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries, and, in some people, fear of falling can make them not want to engage in activities they enjoy.

Focus on the Three H’s: Home, Health, and Habits

To reduce fall risks, incorporate strategies in each of these three areas. With a few preventative strategies, you’ll be well on your way to minimizing fall risks.

Work to Reduce Fall Risks at Home

To reduce risks, focus first on your home. Making a few changes to your home now, even while you’re healthy and fit, could help you avoid a disastrous fall that changes the course of your future. Look for hazards in each area of your home:

• Steps and staircases: Slippery surfaces make these risky. Consider placing mats to reduce slips or traction-based stair treads to give you a better grip. Ensure all railings are tight. Consider adding railings to both sides of the steps for added support.
• Bathtub risks: Stepping into and out of the bathtub is one of the most worrisome fall risks because of wet conditions. Avoid this by replacing your existing tub with a walk-in tub. Bathtubs and showers also benefit from railings and no-slip mats inside and outside.
• Flooring: Remove area rugs or any rug that’s no longer tightly in place. When it’s time to upgrade your home’s flooring, look for slip-resistant surfaces. It’s always a good idea to de-clutter spaces and add lighting along long spans, like hallways.

Boost Your Health with Routine Senior Healthcare

Don’t overlook senior healthcare, including your annual wellness visits. These are opportunities to help you ensure you’re as healthy as possible, which may help you avoid some fall risks. Here’s how.

• Chronic pain: If you’re experiencing knee, grip strength, or hip pain, talk to your doctor about solutions. This can reduce these common concerns that often lead to falls.
• Medications: Many medications cause dizziness or may make you feel a bit lightheaded when you stand up. You shouldn’t stop your medications, but work with your doctor to adjust them to reduce this risk if it’s possible.
• Vision and hearing: Ensure your eyes are checked routinely, and if you need to consider procedures like cataract removal, do so. This strategy will improve your ability to avoid falling because of low light or fuzzy images. Having your hearing checked can also be helpful to ensure you’re always aware of your surroundings.

Work with your doctor to ensure your medical conditions are controlled. Don’t avoid those hard conversations. Any symptoms you have now could be an early warning sign of an underlying health condition that puts you at risk later.

Improve Your Habits Throughout Your Day

Aging in place doesn’t mean giving up on the things you love to do, but you may be able to make a few changes to how you live that could support your overall health. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Exercise: Speak to your doctor about the amount and type of exercise that is right for you as you age. However, incorporating physical exercise into daily life helps you maintain muscle and fitness. It may even keep those joints moving well.
• Balance programs: Check out your local senior center to learn about senior healthcare programming, such as balance and exercise programs. These can help you strengthen your core safely.
• Supportive devices: It is a good idea to have the necessary tools to help you move through the day. That could include a simple, supportive cane. Then, as you move through your day, do so with care.

Don’t overlook the simple things, too. For example, keep one hand free while walking even if it means making more trips to carry items from place to place. If you’re leaving the car, swing both legs out, put your feet on the ground, and support yourself with your hands. Even with tub-to-shower conversions, it’s helpful to move slowly through your personal hygiene routine, giving your legs and feet time to grip the surface before you move too quickly.

Make the Aging-in-Place Upgrades You Need with Confidence

If you’re considering upgrades to your bathrooms, SageHome offers a range of solutions to enhance safety and accessibility. Explore our various brands for innovative products designed to help seniors live confidently in their homes.

Contact SageHome to discover how we can support your journey toward safer aging in place.