Simple Steps to Prevent Falls

Half of all falls happen at home, and many occur when older people are doing everyday activities — reaching for objects overhead, climbing on a stepstool or walking down the stairs.

The reasons for falls are varied: poor eyesight, weakened muscles or dizziness from medication. For many reasons, seniors often aren't as steady on their feet and lose their balance.

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What can you do to prevent falls? Carefully inspect your house — inside and out — and consider making these changes that will increase the safety of the home.

To see how caregiving is transforming, check out AARP’s caregiving and technology series.

All rooms

• Install carpet with short, dense pile.
• Secure rugs with double-sided carpet tape and make thresholds even.
• Make sure electrical and extension cords are out of the way. 
• Keep exits and hallways open.
• Provide bright, evenly distributed light.
• Use lampshades that reduce glare.
• Make sure light switches and electrical outlets are easy to reach.
• Use nightlights.

 Stairs

• Put handrails on both sides of stairways.
• Make sure steps are in good repair.
• Use non-skid contrasting tape, rubber stair treads, or coated, skid-resistant surface treatment on non-carpeted stairs in one-inch intervals. Use three long strips of tape on each step.
• Check carpeting to make sure it is firmly attached along stairs. Make immediate repairs to worn or loose carpet.
• Choose a carpet pattern that doesn't hide step edges, making it look like steps have ended when they haven't.
• Remove any rugs at the top or bottom of stairways.
• Use at least 60-watt bulbs in stairways and have on-off switches at the top and bottom of stairs.

 Kitchen

• Get sturdy stepstools — preferably with handrails — to reach upper shelves.
• Avoid using floor wax.

Bathroom

• Use rubber bathmats or strips in bathtubs and showers.
• Install at least two grab bars in the bath.
• Secure bathroom rugs to the floor.
• Use raised toilet seats and/or install handrails near the toilet.

Exterior

• Be sure there is adequate lighting to get safely in and out of the house.
• Install handrails along any flight of outdoor steps.
• Buy sand or salt for icy walkways.
• Keep steps, sidewalks, decks and porches clear of newspapers, and sticks, rocks, wet leaves and other debris.
• Repair broken or uneven pavement on walkways and driveways.
• Remove shrub or tree roots sticking out of the ground.