When Slips Get Serious
The Basics on Fall-Proofing Your Home
by Sharon Lewis
Dolores Alford from Dallas knows more than most about preventing falls in the home.
In addition to being a registered nurse and a gerontic nursing consultant who evaluates
businesses for falling hazards, she also watches over her ailing husband. "He has
cancer, and this has affected his balance," she says.
To reduce the chances of a tumble, Alford has been very careful to reduce or eliminate
clutter, slippery surfaces, and glass tables with unprotected edges along her husband's
pathways. And there are cordless phones everywhere in case her husband falls when
he's alone. "Preventing falls is all about being conscious of your surroundings,"
Alford insists. Her concern is valid considering 41 percent of fall-related deaths
occur in the home, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Falls can trip up people of all ages, but according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, most falls happen in the home to people age 65 and older during everyday
activities. Eight out of 10 of those killed by falls are over age 65, and falls
are the leading cause of injury-related death among the very elderly, those over
age 80. Falls are also the leading cause of injury and hospital admission for older
adults.
Start at the front—door, that is
The best place to start fall-proofing your home is at the front door. "My husband
can't even visit his niece and nephew because there are no handrails on the steps
to the front door," says Alford.
However, even with handrails on both sides of your steps, you will still have people
tumbling into your home if there's no contrast where your door jamb meets the floor.
Vary the colors and textures on the floor to help accentuate height differences
and level changes.
Make a living room livable
Although bell bottoms and other '70s fashions are back in style, "shag carpeting
and rugs have got to go!" says Alford. And while the thought of having shag carpeting
in a house may turn some decorator's stomachs, it may also increase the chances
of a fall. Shag carpeting can cause falls by getting caught on shoes, toenails and
walkers.
Remember these points when fall-proofing your living and family rooms:
- Glass tables are especially dangerous. You may receive further injuries if you fall
onto one and the glass shatters, says Alford. Your best bet: sturdy wooden tables
with rounded corners.
- Arrange furniture to provide open pathways.
- Keep electrical and telephone cords out of walkways.
- Remove hazards. Harmless-looking items like a child's crayon or a magazine on the
floor can easily cause a fall.
Wipe away water
Kathleen Misovic understands the importance of cleaning up spills. When she was
17, she took a terrifying tumble that resulted in three stitches on the back of
her head. She stepped into a seemingly harmless puddle of water on the basement
floor near a shower. In an instant, her feet flew out from underneath her and she
hit her head. "The worst thing about it was that I couldn't wash my hair for 5 days
because of the stitches," says Misovic of Westmont, IL.
Wet surfaces may not appear dangerous until you step on them—and then it's too late.
Heed these tips to stay safe in your kitchen and bathrooms:
- Clean up grease, water and other liquids immediately. Don't wax floors.
- Avoid climbing and reaching to high cabinets or shelves, or use a sturdy step stool
with handrails.
- Always keep a night-light on in your bathroom.
- Use bathroom rugs with nonskid backing.
- Install grab bars by toilets and in the shower and tub.
- Vary the colors in your bathroom. Having a white tub, white toilet and white walls
is a big safety hazard, according to Alford. "If everything is one color, add bright
decals and even red tape so older adults can see where the edges are."
- Be sure shower stalls have code standard shatterproof glass.
Danger! Keep off the ice
Dusti Keller is an energetic 71-year-old grandmother from Parma, Ohio, who is independent
and lives alone. She even continues her professional dance career by teaching dance
classes.
It was a definite surprise to her family when Keller slipped on some ice last winter
on the way to the mailbox and broke her hip. However, 90 percent of the 300,000
hip fractures treated annually in the U.S. occur from falls, according to the AAOS.
Keller was in the hospital for three days following surgery to insert rods and screws
into her hip. "She's made a remarkable recovery," says her daughter-in-law Michelle
Hovanek. But many older adults aren't so lucky. The National Osteoporosis Foundation
reports that there are approximately 35,700 deaths each year from complications
from hip fractures. Surprisingly, 24 percent of all people suffering from a hip
fracture die within a year of the fall. Another 50 percent never return to their
prior level of mobility or independence.
Don't let clutter accumulate
"Older adults are great at being pack rats," says Virginia Burggraf, a member of
the board of directors for the National Gerontological Nurses Association. Children
or friends of aging adults can help prevent falls by safely packing away or storing
excess furniture or knickknacks.
In addition, older adults who are depressed, ill or lonely may not clean their home
as frequently and may let clutter pile up, says Burggraf. Interaction with others
helps keep people physically and mentally fit.
Dr. William Abraham, an orthopedic surgeon with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates in
Pittsburgh, agrees that being active helps keep your joints limber, possibly reducing
falls.
Abraham suggests involving older adults in your activities whenever possible. "Involve
them in your life," he says. "You can say, 'We're going out today and we're going
to bring you along.'"
Kids can cause a tumble
What do pets, kids and leaves have in common? They all have the potential to cause
a frightening fall. "When leaves get wet, they're like walking on a banana peel!"
says Alford.
And kids and pets alike can frequently trip up a person. "We encourage older adults
to have pets, but they must be disciplined not to jump on you," says Alford. "And
children can grab your leg and easily knock you off balance." Visiting children
may also leave toys scattered increasing the chance of an adult's fall. When grandchildren
visit, be sure they pitch in and put toys away.
Take a step in the right direction
"Most falls occur from tripping over misplaced items, falling on slippery floors,
or factors related to osteoporosis," says Burggraf. And like it or not, as we age,
changes in our vision, hearing, muscle coordination and reflexes make us more likely
to fall.
Laura Wilkinson's grandmother, 82, lost her balance while standing on a ladder picking
apples. She fell, hit her head and suffered a permanent brain injury. She can no
longer walk or talk. "She was active and full of life before this tragedy happened,"
says Wilkinson, a safety specialist with the National Safety Council.
"Falls can be prevented," insists Burggraf. With a conscious effort, each of us
can help make our home free from falls and safe from slips.
(This article originally appeared in the Fall 2000 issue of Family Safety &
Health magazine.)
