To-Do List for Preventing Falls Around the House

[Senior Independent Lifestyles]

Taking care of an elderly parent or loved one at home is stressful enough without having to worry about constantly listening for the sound of a fall, but it's a fact of life you have to deal with. One of the leading causes of death by injury in the elderly population, it's estimated that one out of every three people 65 and over takes a serious fall every year. Take a little off your mind, and follow this checklist for making preventing falls in your home: Handrails: Staircases and ramps should have secure handrails on both sides. Grab bars: Bathrooms need well mounted grab bars around the toilet, shower and bath. Floors: Any rugs should be secured to floor or on a non-skid pad. Check the carpet for bumps or undulations that could be tripped over. Avoid using slippery floor wax, and clean up wet floors immediately. Storage: Organize and make important items easy to reach without having to get a stool and easy to remove without causing an avalanche of stuff. This goes for closets and the kitchen alike. Clutter: Get everything up off the floor and out of the way. Having any obstacles lying around is asking for trouble. Remove the clutter, and store properly. Lighting: Brighten up your home. Dimly lit hallways, rooms and stairways have medical emergency written all over them. Get night lights for navigating hallways and such at night, and make light switches easy to find and use. There are many other things you could add to this list, like repairing outdoor walkways that might be unstable and removing soap residue from around the shower or bath frequently. Keep your eyes open, and don't be ashamed to call someone for help or employ an adult daycare service.