By Shannin Prather
January 2020 | 2020 Winter Newsletter
Regardless of your age or level of physical ability, making changes to your living environment can lower your risk of falls. Take precautions by keeping your home tidy, making sure walkways are clear to avoid common hazards that may cause injury to keep you safe and secure in your home.
Follow these helpful tips to avoid any trips, slips, and falls:
- Wear secure footwear. Wear well-fitting shoes with low or no heel and non-slip soles. Choose slippers with closed toes and closed heels
- Light up your living space. Use nightlights near your bed, in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and other areas you frequently visit at night
- Remove loose area rugs. Unsecured area rugs can be hazardous, and the safest method to prevent falls is to remove them. If removing the rugs completely is not an option, consider using special rug tape to ensure rugs stay in place. When selecting area rugs and bathmats, choose those with nonskid bottoms
- Secure power and telephone cords. Keep cords against walls or taped down to the floor to keep them out of any walkways
- Keep mobility devices close. If you rely on a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair; always keep them nearby for easy access
- Install grab bars in your bathroom. Do not use a towel bar for support when lowering or raising yourself from the toilet or when stepping into or out of the shower. Towel bars are not designed to hold a person’s weight. Have grab bars installed for a safer solution. The cost may be covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal under the “Durable Medical Equipment” category. Nonprofit organizations such as Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley can assist with the cost for installation of grab bars in your bathroom
- Take your time. When changing positions from laying down to sitting, or from sitting to standing, take a moment to maintain your balance and avoid becoming dizzy
- Be aware of your medication’s side effects. Illness and certain medications that treat them may make you feel light-headed, dizzy, or confused. Blood pressure pills, heart medications, diuretics (water pills), muscle relaxants, and sleeping pills may increase your risk of falling. Use extra caution with movement when taking these medications
- Exercise daily. Just seven minutes of moderate exercise each day can go a long way toward improving your balance, coordination, and strength
Speak with your doctor to discuss accessibility products (i.e. grab bars, walker, etc.) that may benefit you. To connect with organizations that can assist with installing safety modifications in your home, contact a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist at: (408) 350-3200, option 1.
Regardless of your age or level of physical ability, making changes to your living environment can lower your risk of falls. Take precautions by keeping your home tidy, making sure walkways are clear to avoid common hazards that may cause injury to keep you safe and secure in your home.
Follow these helpful tips to avoid any trips, slips, and falls:
- Wear secure footwear. Wear well-fitting shoes with low or no heel and non-slip soles. Choose slippers with closed toes and closed heels
- Light up your living space. Use nightlights near your bed, in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and other areas you frequently visit at night
- Remove loose area rugs. Unsecured area rugs can be hazardous, and the safest method to prevent falls is to remove them. If removing the rugs completely is not an option, consider using special rug tape to ensure rugs stay in place. When selecting area rugs and bathmats, choose those with nonskid bottoms
- Secure power and telephone cords. Keep cords against walls or taped down to the floor to keep them out of any walkways
- Keep mobility devices close. If you rely on a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair; always keep them nearby for easy access
- Install grab bars in your bathroom. Do not use a towel bar for support when lowering or raising yourself from the toilet or when stepping into or out of the shower. Towel bars are not designed to hold a person’s weight. Have grab bars installed for a safer solution. The cost may be covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal under the “Durable Medical Equipment” category. Nonprofit organizations such as Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley can assist with the cost for installation of grab bars in your bathroom
- Take your time. When changing positions from laying down to sitting, or from sitting to standing, take a moment to maintain your balance and avoid becoming dizzy
- Be aware of your medication’s side effects. Illness and certain medications that treat them may make you feel light-headed, dizzy, or confused. Blood pressure pills, heart medications, diuretics (water pills), muscle relaxants, and sleeping pills may increase your risk of falling. Use extra caution with movement when taking these medications
- Exercise daily. Just seven minutes of moderate exercise each day can go a long way toward improving your balance, coordination, and strength
Speak with your doctor to discuss accessibility products (i.e. grab bars, walker, etc.) that may benefit you. To connect with organizations that can assist with installing safety modifications in your home, contact a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist at: (408) 350-3200, option 1.