About 28% of seniors in Cook County fall each year. Adults over 65 account for 37% of non-fatal fall hospitalizations in all of Illinois, and falls are the lead cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s common to act as though falling is just a normal part of getting older. Aging impacts mobility, vision frequently worsens as we age and many medications seniors take can impact balance. But many falls are preventable with the right preparation. Home fall prevention for seniors is especially achievable with the right knowledge and a little professional help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s where to start to have the highest impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The majority of adults would prefer to age in place; often, the biggest barrier is their home itself. By addressing the top causes of senior falls, you can help your loved one keep moving with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making it to the front door shouldn\u2019t be a perilous journey for seniors, but windy weather blowing down branches as well as winter storms can turn front walkways into one big tripping hazard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove leaves, branches and other debris promptly. Don\u2019t let plants overgrow into the walkway, and treat cracks in the pavement, loose paving stones and other damage promptly. If you don\u2019t have one already, add a railing and consider adding high-traction mats to steps. In the winter, make sure to salt ahead of winter storms and shovel before your loved one has the chance to give it a try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can be difficult enough to keep up with your own yard maintenance, let alone someone else\u2019s, so we recommend having professional help on standby. Oak Park Landscaping<\/a> is local. They offer both lawn care and snow removal from one trustworthy provider, so don\u2019t need to worry about your loved one feeling trapped or trying to shovel themselves during Illinois winters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s tough to avoid a tripping hazard you can\u2019t see. Dimly-lit hallways and clutter at the edge of walkways are the culprits behind many senior falls. With impaired balance and low-light vision, falls are even more likely at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To combat this, first ensure your loved one has a light source they can turn on without leaving bed, like a nightstand lamp or a wall-mounted light with a remote. Then, install night lights or strip lighting between their bedroom and anywhere they may need to go in the night, like the bathroom or the kitchen for a glass of water. Make sure the night lights are as low to the ground as possible; you want to illuminate the floor, so they can see where they\u2019re stepping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they don\u2019t tend to enter the house through an attached garage, make sure to add lighting between their driveway and front door as well, preferably on a timer or sensor to ensure they don\u2019t have to remember to turn it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many homes don\u2019t come equipped with outlets in hallways, and running extension cords would just add<\/em> a tripping hazard. It\u2019s worthwhile to call a local electrician to add new outlets or other lighting to prevent nighttime falls. MCL Electrical<\/a> is especially well-known locally for their lighting. If anything goes awry, they have a 24-hour emergency service line that\u2019s answered by licensed electricians rather than a call center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Illinois is serious about preventing falls for local seniors, and they\u2019ve provided resources to help. The Illinois Falls Prevention Coalition<\/a> represents a variety of organizations dedicated to keeping seniors on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Illinois offers workshops and classes to help seniors address their fall risk, and the Coalition can help them get connected (included to a combination fall prevention exercise and bingo class called \u201cBingocize!\u201d). They also offer fall-prevention checklists in multiple languages; if you\u2019ve covered the basics in this article, you can move on to some of the more advanced options on their lists. They can also help you evaluate assistive technologies that may be helpful in keeping your loved one moving with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the right preparation, many falls can be prevented\u2014and there are plenty of resources here in Oak Park to help. However, some seniors benefit from a little more hands-on support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where caregivers from FirstLight Home Care of Oak Park<\/a> can help. They can help address fall risks in real time by tidyinging walkways, assisting with tasks like hygiene and dressing and providing a reliable shoulder to lean on. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBrighten Their Day (and Home)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get Connected to Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Home Care Helps with Home Fall Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n