Lanie Silva, a community health worker for the Hudson Health Department
Photo/submitted
By Christine Galeone, Contributing Writer
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), each year 2.5 million people aged 65 and older end up in emergency rooms due to injuries caused by falls. The good news is there are several things you can do to avoid falling at home. At this time of the year, while you’re making sure your steps and driveway are well-lit, smooth and free from ice, consider making the inside of your home just as safe.
Sara Oliveira, a community health worker for Marlborough’s Board of Health and Lanie Silva, a community health worker for the Hudson Health Department, have been busy helping residents aged 65 and older do just that. In addition to giving presentations and offering free home safety assessments, the women offer tips on preventing falls. Here are some tips from Oliveira, Silva and the CDC.
- Maximize your walking space: “While falls can happen anywhere, they most often occur at home,” said Oliveira. “Arrange or remove furniture, so there is plenty of room for walking.”
- Identify and remove/improve tripping hazards and poor lighting: “Before you fall, it is important to identify, in your home, some fall risks,” advised Silva. “Be aware of tripping hazards, such as clutter on the floor, scatter rugs and poor lighting.”
- Install railings, grab bars and brighter light bulbs: On its website, www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety, the CDC advises seniors to replace any dull light bulbs with brighter ones and to add lights to dimly lit or dark areas. Additionally, it suggests that people install railings on both sides of stairs and grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
- Further improve stair and bathtub safety: “Use non-slip adhesive strips on stairs,” Oliveira suggested. She added that adhesives are equally helpful in the bathroom: “Use non-skid mats or appliques in the bath and shower.”
- Exercise: “Don’t limit your activity for fear of falling,” said Silva. “Many seniors think that if they’re sitting on the sofa all day long, they are safe from falling. But it’s not true. That makes your muscles weak. Most people think that elders can’t build muscles, but this is not true! Strength and balance exercises help increase leg strength and improve balance. While we do lose muscle as we age, exercise can partially restore strength and flexibility.”
- Get your eyes checked: While improved fitness can reduce your risk of falling, eye health is also important. The CDC suggests seniors have their eyes examined at least once a year and update eyeglasses accordingly. On its website, it also states “If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.”
- Keep floors dry: Even if you can see well, you won’t always be looking at your floors. Oliveira cautioned people against procrastinating, when it comes to fall risks. She said “Wipe up spills immediately.”
- Use nightlights: Sometimes, you may not realize a spill has happened or an object has been moved. “Place nightlights in kitchen, bath and hallways,” Oliveira suggested.
- Talk to your doctor: “Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications with you,” advised Silva. “Prescription and over-the-counter medicines may cause side effects or interact with other meds, causing dizziness or drowsiness.”
- Make frequently used items more accessible: Oliveira suggested storing medications, food, clothing and all frequently used items within reach, so you “won’t be tempted to use a stool or ladder to get to them.”
- Have a free evaluation of your home’s safety: “To support you identifying your home fall risks, contact the community health workers from your local health department for a home visit at no cost to you,” said Silva.
Falls can be devastating for seniors and their loved ones. But trying these safety tips can greatly decrease the chances of falling. Consequently, they can greatly increase your chances of remaining healthy, happy and independent.
For those at risk of falling due to hoarding, there’s a local program that can help. For information about the Marlborough Community Development Corporation’s ClearPath program, visit www.strongcommunity.org/clearpath-hoarding or call 508-658-0880.
