Getting Prepared for Winter – Part 5: How To Reduce The Risk of Falls

Falls can be especially dangerous for older adults and in winter, when more time is spent in your home, it’s worth looking at removing trip hazards.

Falls can be especially dangerous for older adults and in winter, when more time is spent in your home, it’s worth looking at removing trip hazards. These hazards have a habit of “creeping up on you” as you get older. Environments you coped with easily when younger can present challenges in later life.

Here at Bluebird Care Calderdale, we recommend that, before winter gets hold, it’s worth having a look around your home, looking for potential hazards. Asking a friend or family member to help you is a good idea – a fresh pair of eyes can often spot things you might miss.

LIVING ROOM

If you begin in the living room, you should start by making sure there’s plenty of light. Can you see well in the room after dark? Think about removing unnecessary furniture – cluttered rooms are difficult to move around and create narrow passages, where it’s easy to fall or get trapped if you fall. A comfortable chair that you can get in and out of easily should be your most important piece of furniture. Modern reclining chairs can also “raise” you almost into a standing position, making getting in and out of the chair much easier.

Make sure all your furniture is stable (i.e. won’t collapse or fall over if you lean on it). Ensure all electrical cords follow the walls and don’t cross the floor, where they can trip you. Similarly, ensure that you don’t layer rugs and that the edges of rugs are fastened down or, at least, don’t have raised edges that might trip you.

KITCHEN

Moving on to the kitchen, avoid rugs or carpets if at all possible. Flat, washable surfaces that are easy to clean mean that food, grease or liquid spillages are easy to clean up. Floor coverings should always be in good condition.

The kitchen is usually full of tools and implements. Make sure they are not cluttered and can all be easily reached and used. If you have higher shelves, use a proper stepladder with handrail to reach for items. to reach things high up.

BATHROOM

You will visit your bathroom as many times as any room in the house. Again, avoid loose mats and floor coverings, if you can. Make sure any mats are non-slip. If you use a bath, install a non-slip mat. This is probably the first room where you should consider fitting handrails, especially around the toilet and bath. These can be fastened to the wall (for the bath), but free-standing rail units that sit around your toilet are also available. Keep a good stock of toilet paper and make sure it’s easily to hand.

BEDROOM

Bedrooms can also get cluttered, with clothing and bedding adding to the trip hazards. Make sure you have plenty of storage space and put clean linen and clothing away promptly. Make sure your bedside lamp is easy to use – some have touch activated bases, which are much easier to use than the traditional on/off switches. Especially important is the need to keep a clear and well-lit route to your bathroom. If you still have a landline, having an extension in your bedroom is a good idea. Otherwise, always remember to take you mobile phone to bed with you and keep it charged up.

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

• A commode can make nightime visits to the toilet a lot safer and less stressful.
• Consider using a falls alarm. Most local authorities provide a community care alarm service at a small cost. They include a small button system that you carry around your neck, through which you can summon help if you have a fall.
• Calderdale’s care alarm service: Visit Here