Protect seniors against fall injuries at home

Nearly 13 percent of America’s total population is in its twilight years (65 years or older). The country also has a higher population of older adults now than it ever has before, putting a larger demographic at risk of slip, trip, and fall injuries.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), one in every three elderly people age 65 and above suffer from fall injuries that decrease their mobility and increase the risk of early death. In year 2010 alone, 21,700 older adults died from unintentional falls.

A study conducted by the Washington State Department of Health reveals that, 60 percent of fatal falls among senior citizens occur at home. And over half of the senior adults who hit their heads during a fall die due to fatal brain injuries.

Older adults need to protect against injuries at home. From wackelijmrooster.

The reason cited behind this growing number of home accidents is the lack of appropriate housing with supportive features. Only 6.6 percent of homes occupied by older people facing health or mobility issues have features such as grab bars or handrails. Close to 50 percent of severely frail elders who live alone have no supportive features in their homes, and approximately 20 percent of the homes require modification or repair. The absence of such features routinely challenges the elderly while performing daily chores.

Preventive measures and home modifications

By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 years or older. This is an unmistakable sign that homes need to be structurally and mechanically safer to ensure seniors’ safety. Making simple modifications at home can offer help to this section of the population in several ways.

How to make your home baby-boomer-proof

• Keep stairways properly lit to avoid tripping due to unclear vision.
• Keep walkways clutter free.
• Paste a contrast color stripe on the bottom-most stair to remove chances of falling.
• Adjust the furniture and other objects so that there is enough room to walk around them easily. Narrow lanes between and obstructions between pieces of furniture can cause falls.
• Keep mats and carpets fixed so that they don’t come loose while walking; avoid using throw rugs.
• Clean any spills immediately. Install sturdy grab bars on bathroom walls. Bathroom doors should open outwards.
• Install durable handrails on stairs.

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A large number of baby boomers do not intend to move into retirement homes and prefer making changes in their own homes instead. The concept of Universal Design is gradually gaining recognition among this generation. These homes feature barrier-free rooms, appropriate lighting, step-free entrances and are designed with the needs of the elderly and those with disabilities in mind.

“If you look at population statistics, you can only conclude that Universal Design is vital to the quality life of the majority of Americans,” says Laurence Weinstein, a veteran architect, developer and space planner for commercial and residential buildings in the US.

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