Falls are one of the most common reasons for hospitalization in aging family members. If you find yourself or a family member at risk of falling, you can take steps to prevent it first. Retirement apartments in Chalmette, LA, and across the country have made their facilities more fall-proof by installing handrails and removing tripping hazards such as loose rugs. Here are some top strategies retirement apartments use to prevent falls:
Clear Clutter And Obstructions From Walkways
One of the most common causes of falls is clutter or obstructions. As a retirement community resident, you may not have much need for furniture and other items that are no longer used. However, keeping them out of the way when possible is important so visitors can still get around safely.
If you must keep items lying around, make sure they’re stored safely:
- Put away loose rugs and mats; if someone trips on them, they could suffer serious injuries or even death. Some people even use anti-slip pads under rugs and mats to help prevent slips and falls inside their homes.
- Clear away toys that children left behind after visiting you (they’ll take them home again when they visit next time).
Ensure Lighting Is Sufficient
A common pitfall that can lead to slips and falls is insufficient lighting. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to ensure your apartment building has sufficient lighting in all areas.
Too much light can be as problematic as too little light. If you have a lot of bright lights in the hallway or on the steps, then it could make someone more likely to fall because they won’t see where they are going properly! Too-bright lights will also make it harder for people with vision issues such as glaucoma or macular degeneration to see objects around them. On the other hand, if there are no bright lights at all—or worse yet: harsh fluorescent bulbs—this can cause patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease even greater confusion than usual; they may forget where they’re going and try walking into walls instead!
The best way around these problems is to ensure that there’s just enough light without any excess glare from shiny surfaces like floor tiles and glass doors/windows.
Keep Electrical Cords Out Of The Way
One of the biggest risks of falls is tripping over electrical cords. Many older people may not be able to see them, and even if they do, it’s difficult to gauge how much space is around them.
To prevent this risk, try hiding your cords underneath rugs or furniture. You can also use zip ties to keep them together in a bundle so they don’t spread across the floor like cobwebs waiting for someone to trip over them!
Install Non-Slip Tile And/Or Carpeting
Non-slip tile and/or carpeting is also a great option for preventing falls. Bathrooms, for example, should have non-slip tiles in the shower and bathtub area. Non-slip mats or strips can also be used in the bathtub to keep you safe while bathing. Remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and ensure that any wiring connected to electronic devices is anchored down so that it doesn’t pose a trip hazard.
Provide Adequate Handrails And Grab Bars
Handrails and grab bars are important for aging loved ones to maintain their sense of independence as they age. Handrails, in particular, are required by law in most states and should be installed at a comfortable and convenient height for the resident.
If your retirement community does not have enough handrails or grab bars, you should ask your management team about adding more.
Conclusion
You can’t prevent all falls, but you can make your retirement apartment safer. By following the tips, we outlined above and others that may be unique to your building, you’ll be in a great position for long and happy life.
