National Lumpy Rug Day
Take your spring cleaning to the next level with National Lumpy Rug Day on May 3.
While this seems like just another quirky holiday, it is a good reason to talk about the hazards of floor rugs and the elderly. Anyone can fall or trip on a rug, but our seniors are at a higher risk of long-term damage from a fall.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reported that slips, trips, and falls related to rugs and carpets can have devastating effects for people aged 65 and older with the result often being a broken hip, leg or arm. Nearly three quarters of the rug/carpet falls occurred at home, with approximately 38,000 people age 65 and older treated annually for accidental falls related to rugs and carpets
What makes a rug dangerous? Any throw rug, loose – not affixed to the floor, of any shape, size, material, or thickness qualifies. Throw rugs are typically decorative and smaller, made to be comfortable on the feet. Being smaller they tend to shift, move, or bunch up, often catching on feet or shoes as we walk. The wrong rug can make a non-skid shoe an enemy rather than a friend.
While it is true that older individuals are not more likely to fall (according to another NIH study), the fact remains that those with a more advance age are more likely to be hospitalized and retain an injury. A disproportionate share of unintentional falls affect women, nearly 70%, with the injuries ranging from contusions, abrasions, laceration, and fractures. Women sustained 2.2 times higher numbers of fractures than men.
There are times when a rug is used to eliminate another hazardous situation. Electrical cords, phone cords, or even a crack on tile or a small hole in the floor can be covered with a rug preventing a different and remaining trip hazard. While these can be useful temporary solutions they should not be treated as a permanent fix.
Some life situations can make rugs a little more hazardous. Assistive devices such as walkers and canes can pose additional threats, as they can catch on a loose or curled up edge or even a crease or fold in an older rug. Conditions such as foot drop, peripheral neuropathy, or advanced diabetes may create the inability to sense one’s foot position when stepping over a rug. A shuffling gait or visual impairment can also contribute to the danger adding to the tripping or fall hazard.
How can we keep our sense of fashion and home décor intact and remain safe? Consider placing anti-slip pads or underlays under the rug to prevent the rug slipping or shifting as it is walked on. Double sided adhesive carpet tape can be a great tool to hold carpets or rugs temporarily in place.
If rugs are insisted upon, a low-profile rug is best. A larger rug may be better as it may slide or shift less. By keeping the rug as flat as possible the chances of having a shoe catch the edge or a shuffling gait becoming entangled a minimized.
Right at Home assesses environmental safety for all of our clients as we visit the home. If you would like to know more about our services, please Contact Us.
Thank you, National Lumpy Rug Day. Whether this day brings the inspiration for a time to clean or replace those worn-out rugs, to appreciate our old comforting rugs, straighten out lumps, or maybe a time to get out of the habit of sweeping issues under the proverbial rug, it is up to you. For me it is an opportunity to educate, to help prevent falls from lumpy rugs and keep you healthy longer.
For more tips on avoiding falls, download our free Fall Prevention Guide.
