by Kathrine Mills

Created on: May 21, 2010

Most seniors who are not living in a long term care facility are living with friends or relatives, or in an independent assisted living facility. In order to create a safe living environment for the elderly, one must take preventative measures. These measures vary from modifications of behaviors to actual environment change. To determine what type of modification is necessary, one must look at the particular needs of the person they have in their home.

Falls can happen to anyone at any age; however, the elderly are more prone to falls due to the likelihood that medical conditions or medication side effects are present. The first step is to identify the person’s specific needs through identifying the places that may become an issue based on any medical conditions present. Reference this chart featuring different medical conditions and issues they cause, courtesy of Phillips Lifeline.

Medications can cause problems in a lot of seniors as well because most are on a combination of medications which generally create interactions resulting in dizziness, confusion, and falls.  These can even occur when medications are forgotten. Be sure to make a list of all the persons medications and make it available for not only the caretaker but also the senior themselves, incase they forget a medication. If anyone in the household ever notices such undesired drug interactions, contact the senior’s primary care physician immediately. Some even choose to create check list or organize pill cases for easy medication management.

Another preventative measure to help avoid falls would be to increase ones physical activity. The YMCA and other gyms usually have programs for the older population which are created to be safe and effective for the physical needs of the elderly. These programs usually include flexibility training, reflex exercises, walking, and muscle strengthening exercises. However, one should be sure to consult the seniors’ physician prior to starting any exercise program.

Preventing a life altering fall can be challenging and may require altering your homes design to fit what is now known as “Design” which focuses on comfort, safety, and accessibility for people of all ages. According to the CDC (National Center for Disease Control) over one third of elderly falls that occur at home can be prevented by simple modifications. A home featuring Universal Design would include things such as wider doorways, lever handles on doors and facets for easy access, increased lighting, no-step entryways, hand rails on both sides of steps, non-slip walkways and entry ways, non-slip adhesive stair covers, rocker style light switches. Elevated electric outlets, level flooring through out the home, and elevated seating would all be found in this new Universal Design home.

Completely remodeling your home may not be necessary, as many of the changes can be done inexpensively without having to hire a costly contractor.  Figuring out what medical conditions, medications, and physical barriers may be hindering the ability of a senior to function in the home, is the first step to preventing falls in the home. Whether it’s physical modifications or behavioral, all these changes will help to ensure a safer tomorrow and a more enjoyable today for the senior in your life. 

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