Senior Safety

Make your Home a Tumble-Free Zone:

A few simple changes in your home could prevent many falls and injuries from occurring

Lighting:

• Place nightlights in all bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Use nightlights with photosensitive cells that turn on automatically as the room becomes dark.
• Use lights that are activated by movement or noise (like clapping).

Floors:

• Eliminate throw rugs if possible. If necessary, use throw rugs with a nonskid backing or add double-sided carpet tape around edges.
• Keep phone and electrical cords out of walking path.
• Avoid rugs with geometric designs that are visually confusing.
• Use extra caution in areas where walking surfaces change, such as going from carpeting to tile or raised thresholds in doorways.

Stairs:

• Install light switches at top and bottom of stairs.
• Install handrails on both sides of steps.
• Keep one hand free to use the handrail when carrying objects up and down stairs. Don’t block your vision.
• Mark the top and bottom steps for better visibility. Mark with bright contrasting tape or paint.

Bathroom:

• Install grab bars in the tub, shower, and near the toilet.
• Place non-skid decals or rubber mat in the tub or shower.
• Purchase a raised toilet seat if you have trouble getting up and down.
• Keep door unlocked (to ensure easy access in an emergency).

Kitchen:

• Store items within easy reach. Avoid reaching up or bending over. Purchase a long-handled reacher for easy access to hard-to-reach items.
• Avoid using step stools if possible. Buy a step stool that has a handrail. Make sure it is fully open and stable before stepping on it.
• Keep table firm and non-moveable.

Furniture:

• Keep low furniture such as coffee tables and magazine racks out of walkways.
• Avoid chairs that swivel or roll.
• Keep extension cords and appliance cords in good repair (no frayed or cracked).
• Don’t overextend the power load of extension cords and outlets.

Telephones:

• Place phones where they can be reached easily or purchase a cordless phone that can be carried around the house. Be sure to keep a phone within reach of the bed.
• Post important phone numbers (emergency, neighbors, and family members) near all phones. Write big enough numbers to be read without glasses.
• Use an answering machine so that you don’t have to rush to reach the phone.

Yard and Entrance:

• Repair cracks in sidewalks and driveways.
• Fill holes in the lawn.
• Light walkways.
• Use only one lock at entrances to ensure easy entry and exit in case of an emergency.

Assistive Walking Devices (walkers, canes):

• Contact your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist if you think you need an assistive device.
• Fit device properly fit to your height and weight. A cane or walker that is too short or too tall can create as many problems as it solves.

For further details or an information packet, please contact us at (317) 252-5558 or by e-mail at info@mealsonwheelsindy.org.

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