Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors in Burlington, NJ

According to the CDC, millions of older adults fall every year, but less than half tell their doctor. Even worse is that falling once doubles your chances of falling again, so without making major changes, falling can become a vicious cycle that disrupts your life.

Fortunately, those changes don't have to be huge or impossible. With proper slip, trip, and fall prevention, you can ensure that your home in Burlington, NJ, is safe for you to navigate.

In this post, we'll go over senior safety tips that can drastically reduce your chances of falling.

Home Safety Assessment and Simple Modifications

The first step in home safety for aging adults is to perform an assessment of the entire property. It should be a room-by-room check where you look for the easiest hazards to fix. Do note that if you're not able-bodied enough to do this, ask a trusted caregiver or family member to perform the check for you.

Things to look for include:

• Loose rugs
• Cluttered walkways
• Low furniture that's easy to trip over
• Poor lighting
• Unsecured electrical cords

One quick fix you can do for preventing falls is installing night lights in your bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms so that trips are less likely after dark. You can also replace scatter rugs with low-profile, non-skid mats and secure long runners (use double-sided tape or rug grippers).

Install Grab Bars, Railings, and Non-Slip Surfaces

The high-risk locations for falling in a house are the bathrooms, stairways, and steps. So these are areas to focus on.

Install the following for mobility support:

• Grab bars beside toilets and in showers (have professionals do this job)
• Non-slip strips or mats in the tub or shower
• Sturdy handrail on the stairs
• Non-slip treads on exterior steps
• Textured, slip-resistant paint or coverings for your porches and ramps

With these hardware fixes, you'll dramatically reduce falls around your house.

Strength, Balance, and Mobility Exercise Programs

Balance and stability are the keys to maintaining your mobility and independence. If you do exercises to improve these things, then you're less likely to fall as well.

All older adults should aim to do regular targeted exercise. You don't need to do anything too strenuous either. These exercises can make a huge difference already:

• The Otago Exercise Program
• Tai chi
• Chair yoga
• Strength-and-balance classes

All of the above will help with leg strength, balance strategies, and gait training. If you aren't sure where to start, then ask your doctor for program recommendations and referrals.

Medication Review and Management

Many medications that seniors take can increase fall risk, such as sedatives and some blood pressure drugs. It's already important to check in and review how your prescriptions are working, so be proactive and ask about annual reviews.

Things to ask about include:

• Dose adjustments
• Simpler schedules
• Safer alternatives

You should also check for interactions that can cause dizziness or orthostatic hypotension. If you must take risky medications, then try to aim for times when you can get supervision if needed.

Regular Vision and Hearing Checks

If your vision and hearing are declining and/or already impaired, then it's much harder to see or hear obstacles. You might trip over your pet or uneven sidewalks, which used to be easily avoided.

Ideally, you should have comprehensive eye exams at least once a year. Or follow the schedule that your eye doctor recommends. On that note, update your glasses when necessary.

In addition, get your hearing assessed if you feel like it's declined. If you're prescribed hearing aids, wear them as directed and ensure they're clean, charged, and well taken care of.

Footwear and Foot Care

Take another look at the footwear you're using. Your shoes may be comfortable, but are they increasing your fall risk?

Your footwear should be well-fitting and supportive, with non-skid soles. They should have:

• Adequate toe room
• A low, broad heel
• Good sole traction

Avoid wearing floppy slippers, high heels, or only socks.

Do you have foot pain, neuropathy, or balance problems? Then a podiatry visit can help. There are orthotics and treatments for conditions like calluses, bunions, and painful toes.

Preparation for Seasonal and Outdoor Hazards

Burlington's winters can be cold, icy, and snowy. And in other seasons, wet leaves and rain can create slippery surfaces.

Make sure you always have a safe pathway from the door to your car that's cleared of snow and ice. Other tasks to consider are:

• Using salt or grit on walkways
• Installing handrails on exterior steps
• Placing a non-slip mat at the door to remove wet shoes

If you enjoy regular walks outside, choose routes that have even sidewalks and good lighting.

Use Assistive Devices and Home Technology Smartly

Devices like canes, walkers, and rollators can all improve stability. So if your doctor recommended them to you, use them. Just make sure they've been properly sized by a physical therapist.

Plus, use home-safety tech to make your life easier. Examples include:

• Wearable emergency pendants
• Automatic fall-detecting devices
• Phone speed-dial buttons for your family or emergency services

Make a Post-Fall Plan

Even with the best home preparations, seniors can still experience falls. It's likely it can happen to you, so you need to know what to do afterward.

Write down a post-fall plan with steps similar to these:

• What to do immediately after a fall
• When to see a doctor
• How to report hazards

If you experience repeated falls, then it may be time to look into assisted living. These communities provide safe housing and provide round-the-clock help from staff members.

Participate in Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention

Slip, trip, and fall prevention is vital for every older adult, whatever their mobility level. They can make changes to their house, speak with their doctor about medications, and do exercises to build up strength and stability.

But if there ever comes a time when it's too much to live alone, get peace of mind knowing that there are senior living communities that can help. 

Contact us today to request more information about senior living in Burlington, NJ. Granville Place Assisted Living has pet-friendly apartments and pet therapy available.