5 Easy Ways to Prevent Falls, Save Money, and Maintain Independence
According to ConsumerHealthRatings.com, the average cost of an ER visit in Memphis falls between $1,000-$1,500.
Our mission is to increase the quality of life for those we serve. A large part of our clients calls us for services as they are coming out of the hospital or rehab. Can you guess why they were admitted? Yes! You guessed it. Falls. Not all, but many situations that cause falls are preventative. An ER visit costs on average somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. These tips are far less expensive. What’s more, they reduce fear of falling, increase independence, and give comfort to loved ones.
1. Grab Bars
Grab bars! Grab bars! Grab bars! If you don’t implement any other suggestion here, please consider installing grab bars around the toilet and inside the shower. You’ll do well to get some grab bars installed around your front and back doors, too. *Avoid* the suction cup bars. They are not safe or reliable. Memphis has a great company, Next Day Access, that comes to your house, gives a free consultation, and does a safety assessment. Contact Bailey or Kelly for a quote 901-881-6769 (It’s under $200). Shop here: www.nextdayaccess.com/product-categories/grab-bars/ (They also sell a lot of other cool apparatuses you’ll want to look into as well).
2. Carpets & Rugs
Many homes have beautiful rugs and carpets strategically placed around the house for elegance & beauty, and they can hold as many memories as a photo album. Unfortunately, they are one of the top causes of falls. Now, before you go and throw them all to the curb, nearly every Memphis Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Walmart sells non-skid rug pads (prices range from $23-$55 depending on the size). This will keep them from slipping all over the place. You also need to be sure the corners aren’t puckered up. Watch out for those entry and exit door mats as well.
3. Your Area
Most of us all have an area in the house where we spend the most time. That may be the couch, recliner, bed, or kitchen table. It is absolutely crucial this area stay tidy and clean. Your remote, phone, pen & pad, drink, candy bowl, & puzzles need to be easy to access. A dollar story caddy can be a simple purchase to keep all your things in one area. If you’re not really a dollar store kind of shopper, Walmart & Target sell bedside/recliner organizers ($10-$15) All that searching around can lead to dizziness, which leads to falls. No more falls!
4. Shower Safety
There are so many cool shower accessories to help a senior citizen maintain their independence (vertically!). First - nonslip mats both in and out of the shower area are a must. Second - If you have a walk-in shower, a shower bench will eliminate fear of falling in the shower. However, if you have a step-over bath tub, a sliding tub transfer bench will be the better way to go. These can be found around town at Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as Home Depot. Of course, if you’ve paid attention to suggestion #1, you know that getting up off the shower bench will be oh so much easier if there’s a grab bar nearby.
5. Rearranging Furniture
Sometimes, we just need a change of scenery, and more often than not, our first thought is to rearrange the furniture. Unfortunately, it’s another top reason for ER visits. The pathways in our homes are hard wired into our brains, and it takes time to relearn a new path, no matter our age! Rather than telling you not to rearrange your furniture, Right at Home is asking you to adhere to some reasonable boundaries. The first boundary is avoid moving low-lying furniture. Objects that are knee high or lower, like foot rests, coffee tables, dog bowls, tall vases, etc. should stay in place. The second boundary is to get some night lights. There’s no need to buy the latest gadget. The old fashion night lights ($3-$8) found at Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, Target, Family Dollar, Dollar General, etc. will work just fine.
Right at Home can Help
Perhaps you’re reading this because someone you love has just fallen, and you’re looking for help. Right at Home caregivers can make the transition easier on you and your family by being that extra set of hands. We can help with bathing, dressing, errands, food preparation, toileting, medicine reminders, and more. Give us a call for a free consultation (901) 309-7933. Our consultation comes with a fall prevention assessment of the client’s areas. If you want a more in-depth guide to assessing an aging loved one’s house for health risks, download our free Fall Prevention Guide.
