Preventing Falls in the Home
May is Older Americans month so what better time for a blog on preventing falls in the home. Many of my clients thinking of downsizing to a home for sale in a St. Augustine Active Adult Community have concerns about falling. According to the Injury Facts 2017 distributed by the National Safety Council, falling is the leading cause of injury-related death for adults age 65 and older. The National Council on Aging reports every 11 seconds an adult from age 65+ is treated in the emergency room due to a fall. The good news is that we can prevent some of those falls, especially in our 55+ St. Augustine homes by taking a few precautionary steps.
Many of the great homes for sale in Active Adult Communities in St. Augustine already have been designed with safety features built into the home. Including such features as railings on all stairways, grab bars in showers, tubs, and near toilets, and 1-story floor plans. The following 3 steps will go a long way in preventing a fall in your home.
#1 Clean up the clutter to create open walkways and clear floor space in each room. You will want to keep pet toys in a basket, remove piles of magazines or newspapers next to your favorite reading spot, remove extension cords that are not placed strategically under or behind furniture, and even decorative vases or other items placed on the floor should be removed.
#2 Provide adequate lighting in every room of the home as well as the outdoor spaces including walkways, driveways, and porches. Nightlights placed in bathrooms, hallways, and the kitchen will make those nighttime snacks and potty breaks safe.
#3 Clean up or remove any tripping/slipping hazards such as water spilled on tile or wood floors, area rugs with corners that curl up, uneven floorboards or tiles, and either adhere throw rugs to the floor or remove them. It is also a great idea to use non-skit mats or appliques in the bath or shower to prevent slipping.
Other ways to prevent falls in the home include wearing shoes or no-skid socks to prevent slipping which may cause just enough loss of balance to send you to sprawling. Do not store items on higher shelves or in cabinets where a step-stool is needed to retrieve them. And lastly, just remember to move more carefully, take your time and keep it slow.
If you would like more information on homes for sale in Active Adult Communities in the St. Augustine area, please contact Carol at (904) 626-3483. You can also visit my website to find out more about my real estate services, read customer reviews, and get local information.
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