The risk of falling increases with age, and falls are a leading cause of injury for seniors. According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), around one in three adults aged 65 and over experience a fall each year, and falls are the most common cause of injury-related hospital admissions in older adults.
Educating yourself on these risks and how you can mitigate them allows you to create a safer home environment. You can also take active steps to reduce the risk of falling for yourself, your family members, or a senior in your care.
In particular, fall prevention equipment is a big help for seniors to stay safe and maintain their independence.
In this article, we’ll highlight the importance of fall prevention, list different types of safety equipment, and discuss the best practices to prevent falls at home.
Why Fall Prevention is Crucial for Seniors
Fall-related injuries in seniors can have physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Fall prevention benefits go beyond injury avoidance; they can reduce financial costs, mobility issues, lack of confidence, and improve overall home safety.
Here are some key impacts that falls can have on seniors:
- Health Risks – Physical injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and hospital stays can introduce new health concerns for seniors or exacerbate current ones. Seniors are more susceptible to complications from injuries due to a weakened immune system and a tendency to bruise more easily.
- Emotional and Psychological Effects – The impact of falls on seniors is not just physical; it can be an emotionally distressing experience. Seniors may be afraid of falling again, which can reduce their mobility and confidence.
- Financial Costs – Hospital bills, treatment, and medication can lead to significant expenses for seniors and their families. In the UK, falls among older adults have a considerable economic impact. According to Public Health England, falls cost the NHS approximately £2.3 billion per year due to related medical care and treatment.
It’s important to highlight that many senior fall risks are preventable with the right equipment, and making these changes can improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Fall prevention, then, goes hand in hand with home safety.
Essential Fall Prevention Equipment for Seniors
Fall prevention equipment for seniors can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and improve senior home safety. Here are some of the best fall prevention aids you can install in your home, categorized by room and function.
Bathroom Safety Equipment
Bathrooms can be hazardous for seniors since they often contain hard floors, tight spaces, and wet floors which all increase the risk of slipping. The presence of hard objects like the toilet, bathroom countertops, or towel railings makes falls more dangerous.
To reduce these risks, consider installing grab bars to help seniors avoid tripping. These can also help them get in and out of the shower with support.
If you or a senior finds it hard to stand in the shower, a shower chair is a great option to make showering safer and more comfortable.
Lastly, non-slip mats are a great addition to mitigate the risk of hard flooring. A mat not only provides traction but also keeps its grip even if the floor or mat itself is wet.
Bedroom Safety Equipment
Getting in and out of bed may be difficult for seniors, but some fall prevention equipment can help.
First, consider investing in an adjustable bed, which can improve sleep quality, comfort, and pain relief. Specifically, elevating the legs can reduce swelling in the feet, which can make it easier to get out of bed in the morning. Holistically, an adjustable bed can be a quality-of-life improvement for seniors.
Bed rails affixed to the bed give seniors something to hold onto while they stand up. This is especially helpful in relation to bed height, as a higher bed increases the risk of falls as seniors try to slide out of bed, while a lower bed may demand more effort for seniors to reach a standing position.
Lastly, bedside lighting is another addition to improve visibility, helping seniors see their foot placement and making getting out of bed less difficult.
Living Room and Hallway Safety
You can take proactive steps to make your living room and hallway safer as well.
First, start by removing clutter as best you can with the goal of making clear walking paths. Focus on identifying, organizing, and labelling items.
If you are an elder home care provider or family caretaker, consider sharing tips to help your senior manage their space. You can also add non-slip rugs and handrails to reduce the risk of injury, as well as smart lighting to help them navigate dim areas. Focus on areas with loose rugs, low furniture, or sharp corners.
Reducing clutter, adding lighting, and taking preventative measures can make falls less likely in your living spaces.
Footwear and Mobility Aids
Some equipment to prevent falls at home can be taken on the go. Choosing the right senior footwear and mobility aids can greatly improve balance and confidence, reducing the risk of a fall.
Some examples include:
- Anti-Slip Socks – Increases friction between the sock and the standing surface to reduce falls.
- Proper Shoes – Look for shoes that fit snugly and have a non-slip sole, cushioned insoles, and sturdy arch support. These features can improve comfort and stability for seniors.
- Canes – A cane provides more support to help seniors balance.
- Walkers – Walkers can help seniors with pain, weakness, or balance issues maintain their independence.
Technological Solutions for Fall Prevention
Smart fall prevention devices can help to detect or prevent falls, which means less risk and a faster response in the event of an accident. Here are some important fall prevention solutions for seniors.
Fall Detection Systems
If a senior falls, they may struggle to get up. While in this state, they face increased risks, including:
- Emotional Distress
- Exacerbated Injury
- Shock
- Dehydration
Fall detection systems for seniors mitigate these risks by automatically alerting caregivers or emergency services when a fall is detected.
MGMini by Medical Guardian is a good example, set apart by its fast response time and sensitive fall detection. It also has reliable GPS tracking and a companion app for seniors and caregivers.
Another option is MobileHelp Mobile Duo, which is a fall prevention system designed for couples. This system makes it easier to track your partner if they are at risk of falling. It also features sensitive fall detection and responsive tracking.
Smart Home Integration
Seniors with mobility issues may face increased risk as they move around the house to do daily tasks. Smart devices can reduce the need for seniors to move unnecessarily. Consider adding voice-activated devices to control lighting and smart thermostats to control temperature.
A smart home for elderly safety has features that can not only reduce the risk of falls, but also improve a senior’s comfort in their home.
You can search for brands that fit your needs on platforms like Amazon.
Health Monitoring Devices
Wearable fall prevention technology can act as preventative measures to reduce accidents. These track physical health data, including balance, gait, and muscle weakness, to predict the risk of falling.
Smart fall prevention devices can help seniors and their caregivers be more proactive in their approach to fall prevention and encourage home safety practices.
Foresite Intelligent Fall Management, for example, integrates AI to standardize fall risk analysis, identify at-risk patients, and monitor health.
Additional Home Modifications to Prevent Falls
A guide to fall prevention for seniors at home would be incomplete without mentioning the little things you can do around the house to make life easier for yourself or a senior in your care. These complement the use of safety devices by removing hazards and improving accessibility.
Flooring
Tripping hazards are a problem for everyone, but more so for seniors. These may include things on the ground like rugs, wires, or other contaminants on the floor.
You may also consider installing low-pile carpet, which tends to be grippier than high-pile carpet. Plus, it’s easier to keep clean!
Non-slip flooring is also an option to increase friction and prevent falls. These home modifications for seniors make it easier to get around with less fear of falling.
Lighting
To move around confidently and safely, you may consider visibility improvements, especially in problem areas. These senior-friendly home adjustments may include the stairs or hallways, which can be dimmer. This is especially helpful for seniors who may experience some degree of vision impairment.
Furniture
Rearrange or replace bulky furniture to create wide, clear walkways and prevent falls at home. That way, you or your loved one can avoid having to shuffle through awkward spaces, as well as reducing the risk of falling into furniture or knocking it down in an accident.
Stairs
Stairs are difficult for seniors to manage, but there are several solutions for fall-proofing your home, including.
- Stairlifts
- Handrails
- Ramps
These can help seniors navigate vertical spaces without fear of falling.
It’s important to discuss fall prevention between seniors, their families, and healthcare providers to assess the best solutions for their needs and how to implement them.
How to Choose the Right Equipment for Your Loved One
Choosing fall prevention equipment that’s right for your loved one can be challenging, especially since different seniors have different needs. Here are some key points to consider.
Physical Condition and Mobility
Evaluate your loved one’s condition and mobility, ideally under the guidance of their healthcare provider, to assess their needs. Some seniors may only need a few preventative measures, such as in the bathroom where falls are most common.
Others with limited mobility may need both monitoring and preventative measures to keep them safe.
Consult with your loved one to figure out challenges that a senior may face, such as getting in and out of bed or getting in and out of the shower.
It also helps that some equipment can be customized, like grab bars and bed rails, so you can find a product that suits their needs.
Budgeting and Coverage
Some of the best fall prevention products for seniors are available through government programs or may be covered by insurance.
Speak with your insurance provider directly to learn what is and isn’t covered. It’s also wise to set up a budget for the changes you need to make. Some have no cost, such as tidying the home, while others, like adding non-slip floors or buying fall prevention devices, may be more expensive.
You can use the number on the back of your insurance card or access your online account to find contact information. Similarly, some government programs may partially or fully cover the cost of medical devices or fall prevention technology, as well as provide senior fall safety tips.
Physician-Led Care
A senior’s healthcare provider can be a wealth of information on how to prevent falls at home. They can point you to programs, resources, and practices to help you or your loved one reduce the risk of falling.
Doctors can provide personalized care that takes a senior’s specific circumstances into account so that they receive the best care possible.
Conclusion: Taking the First Step Toward a Safer Home
Falls pose a significant risk to seniors and an economic burden to the healthcare system, but steps can be taken to reduce the risk of falls and hasten the response time in case of an accident.
Start by working on the little things, such as accessibility and lighting in your home, and then start researching home modifications and equipment, like grip bars or fall prevention detection devices.
When purchasing equipment, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your senior’s individual needs. A healthcare professional can offer recommendations for equipment to prevent senior falls, as well as home safety for seniors.
It’s important to be proactive in your approach to fall prevention solutions before injury occurs. It’s not about coddling seniors; taking steps to fall-proof your home reduces the risk of seniors and empowers them to be more independent at home.
