The CDC estimates that at least 25% of adults over 65 will fall annually. Most of these do not report the fall to their doctors. Falls in older adults can cause severe hip, head, and brain injuries. Even when falling is not a risk, seniors fear engaging in different activities for fear that they will fall. Fall protection for the elderly is, therefore, crucial for older adults aging in place.
Making the home safe for older adults, installing the necessary assistive devices, and subscribing to appropriate emergency services will give seniors peace of mind. You do not need a house remodel to make a home safe. With a few changes and modifications, you can reduce the risk of falls by a significant percentage.
Ensuring Elderly Safety with the Right Measures
Fall protection for the elderly is a crucial topic for caregivers. The changing health conditions, the medications, the reduced muscle mass, poor eyesight, and other conditions make falls common for seniors. To prevent these falls, seniors need to take a couple of measures, as shown below:
Keep Your Health Care Provider on Speed Dial
Healthcare providers examine the health conditions of seniors and determine their risk of falling. From the assessment, it is easier to make a fall prevention plan. The first step should be to review the medication a senior is on and determine which can cause drowsiness and how drugs interact. Some medicines can increase the risk of a fall. As such, the health care provider can recommend that you stop taking some medicines, such as sedatives, that make you tired.
If you have had a fall, discuss the situation and conditions surrounding the fall. Discussing the fall, including where and how it happened, can help create a safety strategy. From there, the healthcare provider can determine which health conditions increase your fall risk. For instance, poor eyesight and ear disorders increase your falling risk. Discuss health issues such as joint pain, breathlessness, numbness in any part of your body, and dizziness.
Engage in Physical Activities
Consider low-impact physical activities with the approval of your healthcare provider. Activities such as light walking, tai chi, light yoga, and water workouts go a long way toward fall protection for the elderly. These activities will increase your strength, balance, and coordination when safely executed. It is common to fear any form of physical activity because of the fear of falling. If fear is your limiting factor, talk to a healthcare provider about monitored exercise programs. Physical therapists can engage you in custom programs that help you with flexibility, strength, and balance.
Remove Clutter Around the Home
Are there potential hazards around your home? These will need to go. Make your home as safe as possible to enhance fall protection for the elderly. Start by creating a minimalistic interior with only the necessities. Remove boxes cluttering the space and cords crossing walkways; no one uses coffee tables anymore. The magazine racks and planters also need to go, unless you can find a corner that older adults no longer use.
Remove loose rugs or attach them to the floor using double-faced tape. Once you remove all the clutter, place the necessities such as clothing, food, dishes, and towels within reach. You must monitor the house regularly for spills and messes to ensure that every day is safe. In the bathroom and kitchen, use non-slip mats.
Keep the House Well-Lit
A well-lit home reduces the risk of tripping on furniture and other objects. For starters, draw the curtains during the day and place night lights in all rooms that older adults need. There should be a lamp beside the bed or a switch within easy reach of the bed. This lamp is for bathroom breaks at night. Use glow-in-the-dark switches strategically to easily access hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. If you can still climb up or down stairs, ensure the stairway is well-lit and climb up slowly.
Lastly, keep flashlights where you can easily find them in case of a power outage. Thanks to technology, you can use smart lights for fall protection for the elderly. These will switch on when you enter a room.
Take Advantage of Assistive Devices
Even after making your home safe, you may still need help standing up from a couch or easing into one. You may also need mobility assistive devices like walkers, canes, and bath transfer benches. Bathroom and hallway rails also come in handy. If you still have the energy to walk around your home, you may never feel the need for these devices. However, once you install them, you realize how easy it is to stay in the house.
Technology devices such as medical alert systems also come in handy. These devices will alert caregivers and medical emergency services when you need help. Fall detection devices, for instance, will ensure someone is there for you when you need help. These devices, and others such as fall mats and padded head protection, will protect you from injuries in the event of a fall.
Fall Protection for the Elderly; Products To Consider
There are thousands of products for fall protection for the elderly. Here are a few everyday products to consider:
#1: NYOrtho Bedside Floor Mats for Elderly Fallshield
Falls may happen even after taking the necessary precautions. When they do, older adults need to be ready with protective products. One such product is a padded floor mat that cushions your body and reduces the impact of a fall.
The NYOrtho Bedside Floor Mat protects your loved ones from injuries resulting from falls when getting on or off the bed. It features a non-slip texture that keeps it in place when someone steps on it. This way, older adults will enjoy safe footing. The soft surface of the mat provides a comfortable landing in the event of a fall. NYOrtho uses soft molded foam, which provides a high-impact absorbing surface. Furthermore, the material is waterproof, so taking care of it is easy. When not in use, the mat folds with ease for compact storage.
Regardless of the nature of the floor, older adults are sure they are safe with this mat. Place it on wood, carpeted, or tiled floors, and it holds on to its spot. Its beveled edges enhance access and reduce tripping hazards. You can use the mat even when in a wheelchair or walker.
The package comes in a neat roll. Out of the box, the mat still appears rolled, and you should allow it at least 24 hours to unroll.
Pros
- High-quality construction to last
- Non-skid surfaces to minimize slipping
- Large enough to cover the bed area
- Allows easy access for older adults on wheelchairs
Cons
- Relatively pricey
#2: LandTale Adjustable Bed Assist Rails
Falls when getting on or off the bed are common for older adults. As such, a bedside assist rail is handy for fall protection for the elderly. Older adults can hold on to the railing for support when getting on or off the bed.
The LandTale Bed Assist Rail is a simple yet sturdy bed rail that attaches to twelve and nineteen inches tall beds. You can adjust the connecting rail height to fit any bed within that range. LandTale added a middle bar to the rail to make it sturdier and safer. Once you get your railing, you can have it ready in less than 10 minutes. Adjust its length in three directions – extend or reduce the leg length, the landing bar, and the handle.
This safety bed assist rail features a padded handle that minimizes slipping and makes its use comfortable. Its stands feature rubber bottoms that allow it to hold its position on the bed. When well-installed, the rail can support up to 250 pounds.
Pros
- Older adults can use it when turning and changing positions in bed
- Sturdy construction for added safety
- Installs in less than 10 minutes
- It fits beds of different heights
Cons
- It only works with 5-inch mattresses.
#3: gooatry 7-Gear Height-Adjustable Chair Stand Assist
A stand-assist device is handy if you need assistance standing up from a couch. It gives you the support and stability to ease into a sofa or stand-up. The Gooatry Chair Stand Assist is a versatile device that can be used as a bed rail to help you on and off the bed or as a cane around the house.
The stand assist features high-quality steel construction, making it sturdy and durable without being heavy. With its lightweight design, older adults can move it with ease. The four-legged support means it remains stable on the ground, so users can feel confident using it. Further, it features a non-slip foot mat that improves its non-slip capabilities for better fall protection for the elderly.
Once assembled, the chair lift assist accommodates users of up to 330 pounds, so seniors of all sizes can use it. Even better, you can adjust its height in seven positions to suit the user’s height. Its height adjustability and design make it usable in different settings, from bedrooms to dining rooms. After use, the chair easily stores in small spaces. It features a sturdy handle with an ergonomic, slip-resistant grip. This way, you can hold it comfortably for an extended period. When used correctly, the product can help with fall protection for the elderly, reduce back and arm pain, and help caregivers care for loved ones.
Pros
- Easy to assemble with no tools
- Usable in different settings and rooms in a home
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
- Compact for easy storage
Cons
- Relatively pricey
#4: Foam Fall Mat for Elderly
Even as you seek products for fall protection for the elderly, you must be ready for falls. A foam fall mat reduces the risk of a fall by offering a non-slip surface, but it can also protect older adults in the event of a fall. You can place this mat next to a bed or an older adult’s favorite couch, so it protects them from the impact of falling from these places. It features high-impact absorbing foam, reducing the risk of broken bones after a fall.
The Foam Fall Mat features a bi-fold and tri-fold design for easy storage after use. On the surface, the mat has a vinyl polymer cover that resists tear and abrasion. Further, it has a non-slip bottom to hold its position during use.
Each mat has a low-profile design; you can choose between 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch mats. This makes it easily accessible for seniors with mobility issues.
Pros
- High-impact resistance foam construction
- High-quality construction for durability
- Great price-quality ratio
Cons
- It lacks beveled edges, making it a tripping hazard.
#5: EASACE Bed Adjustable Assist Rail
With limited mobility, older adults find getting in and out of bed challenging. The EASACE Bed Assist Rail improves fall protection for the elderly by making it safer for them to get on the bed. It works for seniors with mobility issues and those in wheelchairs who want to transfer safely to the bed. It accommodates up to 300 pounds, with its ergonomic handle allowing a firm tow-handled grip for more stability.
It is easy to install the device with no need for tools. You only need to ensure there is no space between the rail and the mattress. Use the safety strap to secure the fence and improve fall protection for the elderly. You can attach it to mattresses between 10 and 17 inches, whether memory foam or innerspring.
If you need a bed assist rail with sturdy construction and a firm ergonomic grip, EASACE can help you.
Pros
- Assembly only takes a few minutes
- Sturdy and stable design
- Rubberized grip
Cons
- It feels a little shaky at an extended height.
Home Safety Checklist for Fall Prevention
Most falls at home are easy to prevent. Fall hazards are easy to overlook for a healthy person with a full range of mobility. Creating a safety checklist can fix issues and improve fall protection for the elderly.
Floors
You need to assess the floors in different rooms of the house. As you do so, check for the following:
- Is there a clear path away from the furniture where you can walk freely? If you have to walk around furniture, then it is time to move some items to create safe pathways.
- Are there throw rugs on the floor? Throw rugs are a slipping hazard when not secured to the floor. Improve fall protection for the elderly by replacing them with slip-resistant mats or using double-sided tape to attach them to the floor.
- How cluttered is your floor? Papers, magazines, boxes, and other objects on the floor increase the risk of a fall. To improve fall protection for the elderly, remove clutter to create room for walking. It would be best if you also wipe up spills immediately after they occurred.
- Are there cords crossing through the room on the floor? Wires and cords for different appliances are a tripping hazard when they cross the room on the floor. To be safe, tape the cords to walls or have an electrician install enough outlets so wires do not cross the room.
Stairway
Assess the stairs inside and outside the home to improve fall protection for the elderly. Check for:
- Is the stairway cluttered? Books, papers, boxes, and other items can clutter the stairway, reducing the walking space. Keep objects off the stairs so older adults have enough room to walk.
- Are the steps even? Uneven steps are a tripping and fall hazard. Improve fall protection for the elderly by fixing broken and uneven steps to make walking up and down the stairs safe.
- Is the stairway well-lit? You need an overhead light at the bottom and top of the stairway. Before climbing up or down the stairs, switch on the lights. Even better, ensure there are light switches at the bottom and top of the stairs so you can easily light them up. Glowing light switches are the best if you use the stairs at night. If the bulb in the stairway burns out, have it replaced immediately?
- How secure is the carpet on the stairway? The rug should be firmly secured to the steps for fall protection for the elderly. Instead of a rug, you can install rubber treads that increase traction for more safety.
- Are the handrails on the stairway safe? If the railings are broken or loose, you must fix or replace them. Again, if you only have bars on one side of the stairway, you must install support rails on the other. This way, older adults have the stability they need to walk down the stairs.
Kitchen
- Are items in the kitchen within easy reach? Move items to cabinets that are easy to access. Use the lower levels so older adults can access items from cabinets easily.
- How steady is the step stool in the kitchen? You need to get rid of the step stool in the kitchen and instead place items where they are accessible. However, if you have to use it, ensure it has a bar that the older adult can hold for stability. Avoid using a chair as your step stool.
Bathroom
- How slippery is the floor? The bathroom is a wet area. Use a non-slip rubber mat that holds onto the floor to protect you from falls.
- Do you need support getting into the bathtub? If you need assistance getting into the tub, install the necessary support devices next to the tub, toilet, or shower. A shower transfer bench and grab bars are handy in such situations.
Bedroom
Is your bedroom safe? Check for the following:
- Is there a lamp near your bed? If you must get out of bed before morning, you need a lamp near your bed. Ensure the lamp is easy to reach to improve fall protection for the elderly.
- Is there a clear and well-lit path from the bedroom to the bathroom? It would help if you had a night light and a clutter-free path to the bathroom so you never trip and fall at night.
- Is the tub or shower floor slippery? Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the most common causes of falls among the elderly?
Slippery floors, poorly lit areas, and clutter on the floor are some of the causes of falls. Older adults also suffer from conditions such as diabetes, weak bones, reduced muscle mass, poor eyesight, and ear problems that put them at more risk of falls. As such, fall protection for the elderly is handy for all homes.
- Can fall protection products be installed in rental homes or apartments?
Yes. Most of the products for fall protection for the elderly do not need building modifications. Some install without needing tools, so they will not interfere with the structures in rented spaces.
- Are fall detection devices reliable in detecting emergencies?
Yes. However, the devices do not detect slow and low falls and slumps. They can detect falls with up to 90% accuracy. The devices’ positioning and settings will determine how accurate they are. The main challenge is distinguishing between a fall and a workout that shakes the device. Again, if the older adult slumps onto the ground, the device might detect that as lying down.
- How do medical alert systems connect with emergency responders?
In case of a fall, the older adult presses a button on a pendant or a smartwatch, and an alert goes to the emergency operators. An alert might also go to the operators automatically for automatic fall detectors. The alert shows the location and other details of the older adult. Emergency operators can also use GPS to locate the patient. From there, they will contact local emergency service providers who will be in your location quickly.
Conclusion
Improving fall protection for the elderly should be a priority for caregivers. However, older adults must also participate in strategies that protect them. For starters, they need to keep their bones strong. Strong bones enhance their stability and protect them from fatal injuries after a fall. One way to do that is to eat foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
They should also engage in light exercises, avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs, maintain a healthy weight, and always see their health care providers. When caregivers work with health care providers and older adults, it is easier to create a safe space.
Thank you for sharing these crucial fall protection tips for the elderly! It’s so important to implement preventive measures to ensure their safety and well-being at home. For more comprehensive insights and practical advice on senior health and safety, including effective fall prevention strategies, I highly recommend exploring SeniorThrive.com. They provide a wealth of resources and expert guidance to help seniors and their caregivers navigate various challenges with confidence. Let’s continue to prioritize safety and quality of life for our aging loved ones!