Preventing Falls for the Elderly

More adults 65 and older die from fall-related injuries each year than from any other kind of injury, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent report from the CDC found that one in three older adults requires hospitalization for a fall each year, with a broken hip being the most common and serious injury. "Hip fractures can really mark the beginning of the end for seniors," said Judy Stevens, a CDC epidemiologist. "It can lead quickly to decline and death."

Here are some helpful suggestions for reducing fall-related injuries in the home.

• Place all lamp, extension, and telephone cords out of the flow of traffic.
• Make sure all small rugs and runners are slip-resistant.
• Make sure that there is access to a telephone if you fall, or experience some other emergency, which prevents you from standing or reaching a wall phone.
• Place small stoves and heaters where they cannot be knocked over, and away from furnishings and flammable materials, such as curtains or rugs.
• Have your clothes properly altered, so that you cannot trip on a pant leg or gown bottom.
• Make sure that hallways, stairways, passageways between rooms, and other heavy traffic areas are well lit.
• Clear exits and passageways, so that there is nothing to stumble over.
• Equip your bathtubs and showers with non-skid mats, abrasive strips, or other surfaces that are not slippery.
• Install at least one, but preferably two, grab bars in your bathtubs and showers.
• Make sure that the steps in your stairway allow for secure footing, and that the coverings on the steps are in good condition.
• Be sure that you can clearly see the edges of the steps, and do not store anything on the stairway, even temporarily.
• Use a sturdy, step stool to reach high shelves. Never stand on chairs, boxes or other makeshift items.