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Elder Care News
Many Elderly Caregivers Do Not Know How to Make
Homes Fall-Safe
 Home Safety Council finds many homes lack
critical safety elements
September 20, 2006 - Studies show that one-third of
senior citizens aged 65 or older - or nearly 12 million people -
experience falls each year and almost 5,000 die from falls in the home.
The Home Safety Council went to caregivers to find out why more is not
being done to make homes safer for the elderly and found that many just
do not know what to do to make them safer.
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Another recent study found that fall prevention
efforts targeted at frail adults can reduce the risk of falling and
related injuries by about 25 percent. Vicki Freedman, professor at the
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, said her study shows
environmental modifications can make a significant improvement in safety
The Home Safety Council study finds that while
falls are the leading cause of home injury-related death among older
adults, critical falls prevention measures are missing from many homes.
The new survey polled caregivers of older adults to
better understand the home safety perceptions, attitudes and behaviors
of those caring for a relative, in-law or friend who is 60 years old or
older, and found that many dont know what actions to take to help
prevent older adults from falling in the home.
Nearly two in five (38 percent) of the caregivers
polled reported their loved one had suffered a fall in the home. Of the
reported injuries many were serious, requiring either a hospital visit
(40 percent) or hospital stay (21 percent).
When the caregivers were asked about falls
prevention practices, the survey found critical safety elements missing
from homes, such as
● rugs secured by non-slip backing or adhesive tape (64 percent),
● handrails on both sides of stairways (62 percent),
● proper lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs (50 percent) and
● grab bars in the bath or shower (32 percent).
Along with the lack of falls prevention items
within the home, the study findings also reveal that a difficulty in
communications and lack of knowledge may be keeping many caregivers from
discussing safety practices with the older adults for whom they provide
care.
Half of the caregivers surveyed (49 percent)
reported they feel there are actions that could be taken now to reduce
the risk of the older adult suffering a home-related injury.
Worry about the older adults reaction (26 percent)
and lack of knowledge (19 percent) were the most common reasons given
for why the caregivers had not taken action to make their homes safer.
Adults over age 65 are at the greatest risk for
fall-related injuries, with nearly 5,000 older adults suffering a fatal
fall at home each year, said Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy.
Talking with mature adults about how to make their
homes safer can be a sensitive subject but its worth having the
conversation. Simple home modifications and a few behavior changes can
make it possible for people to live safely and independently in the
homes they love.
Falls Prevention
The Home Safety Council recommends that caregivers
first apply safety practices to prevent falls in their own homes so that
safety improvements are not seen as a consequence of aging. The same
safety precautions that can help keep older adults safe in and around
the home can protect the entire family.
In addition to making changes within the home,
older adults must also maintain a healthy level of physical activity and
carefully monitor medications to minimize the risk of suffering a
serious fall-related injury.
The Home Safety Council urges all families to
conduct a home safety walk-through to find and fix potential falling
hazards at home.
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Following are falls safety tips to keep in mind
when conducting a home safety walk-through.
●
All stairs and steps should be protected with a secure banister or
hand-rail on each side that extends the full length of the stairs.
● Make sure stairwells have a bright light at
the top and bottom of the stairs.
● Make sure all porches, hallways and
stairwells are well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures.
Maximum wattage is typically posted inside light fixtures.
● Use nightlights to help light hallways,
stairwells and bathrooms during night-time hours.
● Keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors
clear. Reduce clutter and safely tuck away telephone and electrical
cords out of walkways.
● Use a non-slip mat or install adhesive safety
strips or decals in bathtubs and showers. If you use a bath mat on the
floor, choose one that has a non-skid bottom.
● Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls.
Do not use towel racks or wall-mounted soap dishes as grab bars; they
can easily come loose, causing a fall.
● Keep the floor clean. Promptly clean up
grease, water and other spills.
● If you use throw rugs in your home, place
them over a rug-liner or choose rugs with non-skid backs to reduce your
chance of slipping.
● Always use sturdy step stools with hand rails
when climbing is necessary. Older adults should not use step stools or
ladders.
● Follow medication dosages closely. Using
multiple medications and/or using medications incorrectly may cause
dizziness, weakness and other side effects which can lead to a dangerous
fall.
● When climbing on a ladder is necessary,
always stand at or below the highest safe standing level. For a
stepladder, the safe standing level is the second rung from the top, and
for an extension ladder, it's the fourth rung from the top.
Additional educational materials are available
through Safe Steps, the Home Safety Councils older adults falls
prevention program. The national program promotes preventative low cost
solutions and simple behavioral changes to ensure personal safety and
independence among older adults. For Safe Steps program materials and
additional falls prevention advice and resources, please visit
www.homesafetycouncil.org/family.
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national
nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related
injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical
visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and
the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer
in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3)
charitable organization located in Washington, DC.
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