Senior Fall Prevention
Use this fall prevention checklist to make your home as safe as possible.
- Have a lamp or light switch that you can easily reach without getting out of bed
- Use night-lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways.
- INSTALL motion detection switches – these ‘light’ the way as you approach an area and automatically shut-off after the area is vacated. They are inexpensive and easily installed.
- Keep a flashlight handy.
- Have light switches at both ends of stairs and halls.
- Install hand-rails on both sides of stairs.
- Turn on the lights when you go into the house at night.
- Add grab bars in shower, tub and toilet areas.
- Consider sitting on a bench or stool in the shower. Consider using an elevated toilet seat.
- Use bath mats with suction cups.
- Use non-slip adhesive strips or a mat in shower or tub.
- Paint the edges of outdoor steps and any steps that are especially narrow or are higher or lower than the rest
- Paint outside stairs with a mixture of sand and paint for better traction
- Keep outdoor walkways clear and well lit
- Keep snow and ice off entrances and sidewalks