Slips, Trips, and Falls Are Not Solely Due to Aging
Article submitted by Tris Harris, Fall Prevention Educator with Slips & Trips Educational Provider.
For more information, she can be reached at 773-220-6951, weekdays 9 AM - 5 PM.
For ageing persons, 60 years and older, home sweet home conjure up images of freshly baked yeast bread, cinnamon Apple pie, and
our favorite cozy lounger. In fact, most ageing persons would rather retreat to the comforts of their own sweet home rather than
spend an extended time in a six-star hotel. However, living spaces of many aging persons are full of unsuspected in-home
environmental hazards. Such hazards inevitably lead to the ageing person's lost of lifestyle privileges most valued-independence,
mobility, dignity and the freedom to define quality of life for themselves. These privileges disappear -in a blink of an eye --with
just one Slip, trip and fall in the home.
Consequences of Overlooking In-Home Hazards
Among ageing persons in the United States, 30% to 60% fall each year in their homes. Close to half will be hospitalized and will not
return to independent living while 40% will be admitted prematurely to a nursing home. And, within one year of falling, 33% die from
slips, trips, and falls and related complications. An ageing person fortunate enough to survive the trip and fall and remains at
home will reduce their basic daily living activities by 42%, and will be dependent on assisted care. This does not have to be -
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS (risk factors) ARE PREVENTABLE AND REMEDIABLE IF NOT IGNORED! Preventing slips,
trips and falls in the home, and preserving one's lifestyle privileges are about taking deliberate actions to reduce or remove
environmental hazard (risk factors) in the home.
Your Deliberate Actions Lead to Slip, Trip & Fall Prevention
Environmental hazards (risk factors) that I concentrate on in my work as a Fall Prevention Educator are slippery or wet surfaces
(floors, showers and tubs), poor lighting, inappropriate footwear, cluttered pathways, and the misuse of cleaning products.
In most residents and elderly care communities, these slips, trips and falls environmental hazards are controllable, remediable
and preventable. Below are six remediable solutions for the environmental hazards in the home: (not intended to be a comprehensive
list)
- Throw rugs which have been machine washed and dried have weaken non-skid backing. Remove or tape all sides.
- Shower or bath mats, decals and strips that hold soap residue, mildew and bacteria should be removed. Apply slip resistant
treatment to tub, shower and floor to reduce slippery surface.
- Thick-sole shoes should be replaced with firm/hard, skid- proof soles and low heels. Do not walk in bear or stocking feet.
- Pick up all floor clutter and increase lightning wattage in pathways.
- Follow cleaning directions for floor type to avoid creating surface risks.
- Use only non-slippery cleaning products – no glossy waxes.
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