Is Mom and Dad’s home as safe as it should be?
Have you noticed mom or dad may not be getting around the house like they used to?
Sometimes daily tasks may not be as easy as they once were. These tasks can even become safety risks.
- Falls account for nearly one-third of injuries in the US.
- While falls in the home can happen to anyone, older adults are treated in the ER every 11 seconds.
- The two most common injuries due to a fall accident are hip fractures and head trauma.
Here are some things that can be done to help prevent fall accidents in the home.
The number one place a fall happens in the home is in the bathroom.
A very cost effective way to help with bathroom falls is to install grab bars in some key areas. The most common areas to install grab bars are just outside the tub on either side to assist in getting in and out of the tub with another bar somewhere inside the tub area to assist once in the tub.
If grab bars help but still do not provide the safety desired when getting in and out of the tub there are still other options. One option is to install a barrier-free shower so there is no tub sill to have to climb over. This option can be very pricey because it usually requires costly modifications to the bathroom. A more cost-effective option is to add a cutout (Check them out here) to the rim of the existing bathtub. This creates a much lower ledge to step over and, with the help of some grab bars, can greatly reduce the risk of a fall when getting in and out of the tub.
Other low-cost solutions are a shower chair with a handheld showerhead. This enables you to be seated without having to get all the way down into the tub while still being able to take a shower. This can be used in conjunction with the tub cutout above as well.
Another area of the home that creates a fall risk is stairs.
The easiest and most cost-effective solution to stairs is to make sure there are good sturdy handrails installed on one side or both sides of the staircase if necessary. If handrails aren’t enough, another solution would be to have a stair lift installed. Stair lifts can range in price depending on the design of the stairs and the options wanted. A good quality stair lift, however, does not need to break the bank. (Take a look)
To see if a stair lift is right for you, check out Free Guide to 5 Important Things to Consider When Purchasing a New Stair Lift.
If the stairs are outside a stair lift may be an option as well. There are stair lifts on the market rated for outdoor use. Another option would be a ramp. Depending on the number of stairs, ramps can get pretty long and before you know it they are twisting and turning and taking up the whole front yard or the entire garage. An alternative to a ramp would be a vertical platform lift or VPL. A VPL is typically an open-air elevator used to elevate a rider to their porch or door eliminating the stairs. VPL’s can be installed inside or outside as well. (Check it out).
Here are some other things that can be trip hazards around the home as well.
- Clutter. Keep stairs, walkways, and hallways clear of clutter.
- Rugs. Rugs can get bunched and wrinkled and can cause a fall.
- Cords. Keep lamp cords and other cords to a minimum and if they are necessary, secure them and make sure they travel only a short distance and out of walkways.
With these solutions, you can have peace of mind that Mom and Dad are safe in their home for many years to come.
For a consultation or inquiries about any of these products Contact Mobility Plus today!
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