Falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. According to the Center for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older. Nationally, one in four older adults report falling every year; that statistic is even higher, at 29.4%, in Michigan. And these are only the falls that are reported. Not all falls result in an injury, however 37% of those who fall report an injury that required medical treatment or restricted their activity for at least one day.
The Mayo Clinic recommends that two simple assessments are key to staying safe from falls. One is to assess your own personal risk for falls, and the other is to assess your home environment for fall hazards. Talk with your doctor about any emerging health risks that might affect your balance, eyesight, or general stability; this should include a review of your current medications related to falls as well. Your doctor can recommend a gentle exercise routine appropriate for your level of mobility to help maintain strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility – all of which will help keep you on your feet.
With regard to assessing your home for fall hazards, Age Safe America reports that a high percentage (78%) of falls among older adults occur in their home or just outside their own home. While this is an alarming statistic, the good news is that you can control a lot of factors in and around your home to prevent a fall. It’s never too soon to assess your home and remove hazards before a fall happens.
Falls are the cause for 40% of all nursing home admissions and 40% of those admitted will never return to independent living. If you want to remain living in your home as you age, addressing safety and accessibility now will help to ensure you can age in place. For some people it’s as simple as replacing throw rugs or installing a grab bar; others prepare for bigger needs such as a ramp entry or converting their bathtub to a walk-in shower with a bench. There are a wide range of choices for preparing your home for future needs. Many people elect to start making changes before they need them – this allows the expense to be spread out over time and ensures that the improvements are made before a fall occurs.
Milestone Senior Services’ Home Repair & Accessibility team can perform a home safety assessment both inside and outside your home to identify safety issues including fall hazards. Our team can also be hired to address home safety and accessibility issues including ramps, stairs, handrails, grab bars, tub-to-shower conversions and a wide range of basic home repair and handyman services. If you or a loved one are thinking about what you can do to make your home safe for current and future needs, call Milestone and talk to our Home Repair & Accessibility team – we are here to help. Call 269-382-0515 or visit us online: MilestoneSeniorServices.org
