Older American Fall Prevention
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a holiday season that often involves gatherings of all ages,
from grandparents to kids. If you or your employees are hosting gatherings this year, the National
Safety Council encourages extra care to safeguard older guests. Before they arrive, take a room-by-room
inventory of safety risks in your home and correct any potential falls hazards. Falls are the leading
cause of injury deaths among older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
More than one third of adults ages 65 and older in the United States fall each year.
More than half of all falls occur at home. In preparation for older guests, arrange furniture to provide open
pathways, remove or secure area rugs, and move aside electrical and telephone cords that can cause tripping.
Maintain good lighting throughout the house, especially on the stairs, and secure handrails near both indoor
and outdoor steps.
The NSC offers comprehensive
falls-proofing tips and
additional information about the risk of falls and
caring for aging parents.
Most falls are preventable. Take precautions to decrease the risk. While simple steps can go a long way toward keeping your
older guests falls-free, their increased safety also benefits children and others.
