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Key Takeaways
- To live life independently and reduce risk of falls, here is a list of our top 5 fall prevention products and additional tips to help seniors stay safe!
- Grab bars, raised toilet seats, shower chairs with arms, and more offer support when toileting or bathing independently.
- To help seniors stay safe and mobile, it’s important they talk to their doctor about using mobility aids such as canes, walking frames, or wheeled walkers!
- For added support, they can use a reacher to make it easier to grab objects that would otherwise be out of reach.
Top Products in This Article
Falls can be scary and painful, and as seniors age, their risk of falling increases. People aged 65 and over are most at risk of falling and suffering the most severe injuries.1 With the proper precautions and fall prevention products, seniors can stay on their feet and independent!
1. Grab Bars
Grab bars offer support when navigating tricky areas like garage steps or the lip of a bathtub. Attractive chrome-plated steel grab bars can be added throughout your home for support when you need it.
Textured grab bars are the perfect addition to bathrooms because the surface makes them easier to hold onto even when wet. There are also grab bars that you can secure to the side of your tub as a sturdy place to hold when stepping in and out.
2. Bathroom Safety Aids
Bathing Aids
The slippery floors of showers and tubs can lead to painful fals. A shower mat can increase your grip and reduce your chances of slipping.
If seniors are unsteady on their feet, a mat may not be enough. Sitting while they shower or bathe can help keep them safe. There are a variety of options to choose from including a comfortable padded shower chair.
If preferred, using a bath lift for bathing can make it easier to get in and out of low tubs.
Toileting Aids
Using the toilet can be another fall hazard. A raised toilet seat makes it easier to sit and stand with less stooping or squatting. Another option is a toilet safety frame, a frame that adds armrests to your toilet, giving you a place to grip for support as you sit and stand. You can even combine the two by choosing a raised toilet seat with handles.
3. Bed Safety Rail
This functional bed rail allows its users to transfer in and out of bed safely. Stored flat when not in use, it can be easily assembled and quickly fitted to the bed without the use of tools. The bed rail can be used on domestic beds including divans, pine and steel or wooden frame beds.
4. Reacher Grabber
Sammons Preston Reachers
Standing on a ladder, or even a step stool to reach dishes in high cabinets or clothing on high shelves sets you up for a potential fall. As does bending down to pick up something you dropped, standing up too quickly, and feeling lightheaded. A reacher, as the name suggests, makes it easier to grab objects that would otherwise be out of reach. They’re a must-have tool for seniors, making it easier to live your life and reduce your chances of a fall.
5. Mobility Aids
Walking Stick
Adjustable Walking Stick
An unsteady walking gait increases fall risk, but staying active is a crucial part of preventing falls. What can seniors do to stay safe and mobile? They should talk to their doctor about using a mobility aid. If they only need a little support, a walking stick can help seniors stay stable.
Walkers
Days Height Adjustable Walking Frames
If more support is needed than what a cane offers, seniors can consider using a walker or rollator. A walker comes in non-wheeled options for extra stability and front-wheeled options to make movement easier.
5 More Fall Prevention Tips
- Remove all rugs from the home. Rugs are a major tripping hazard and the senior’s home will be safer without them. If they absolutely can’t part with a rug, make sure it’s firmly tacked down with double-sided tape or a non-slip mat and they should check it regularly to make sure the rug stays in place.
- Make sure any electrical, charging, or cable cords are coiled next to the wall and out of their walking path. They shouldn’t run any cords underneath rugs, as this could become a fall hazard.
- Installing nightlights from the bedroom to the bathroom to see if they need to get up in the middle of the night.
- Being careful on the stairs, taking their time and go slowly. Keeping the stairs free from clutter and adding non-slip treads to wooden stairs to reduce risk of falls. The stairs should be well-lit and have handrails on both sides for security and support.
- Keeping important emergency numbers posted on the refrigerator. This makes them easy to access if the senior has an emergency.
References
- National Institute for Health Care Excellence. (2019). Falls Later in Life. Age UK. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3wXEVuH
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
