Most older adults want to live in their own homes for as long as possible; but, unfortunately, most houses are not made to meet their needs, especially if they live alone.

Falls are the biggest safety risk for older adults. About one out of every three older adults in America falls each year, and 7 out of 10 times it happens at home.

The elderly need to be extra careful at home due to physical changes that happen to their bodies as they get older, such as poor vision, hearing, sense of touch and sense of smell, as well as thinning bones.

But falling does not have to be a part of getting old and there are proven ways to help keep falls from happening.

10 Tips for Keeping Safe at Home

• Remove all throw rugs or stick them to the floor with something like two-sided tape to keep them from slipping.
• Install grab bars in bathroom, especially in the shower/tub.
• Make sure the house has a lot of lights, especially around stairs and in hallways.
• Keep a flashlight by the bed.
• Use a nightlight.  
• Keep pathways clear of objects that can trip you, especially electrical cords.
• Remove clutter.
• Make sure handrails on stairways are sturdy.
• Check carpets for any tears and/or holes that might trip you.
• Check all medications - prescriptions, over-the-counter, herbs and vitamins - with your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist. They will let you know if any of the medications put you at risk for falling.

More Safety Tips for Everyone

• Make sure there is a working smoke detector on each level of home.
• Place a fire extinguisher on each level of the home.
• If anybody in the home uses oxygen, make sure there is an oxygen awareness sign in the house, and that no one smokes in area where there is oxygen.
• Make sure there is a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the home.
• Place a telephone within easy reach. Use a phone with numbers large enough to easily see in hurry.
• Have a disaster plan.
• Have a fire evacuation plan and practice it.

Falls Happen

Falls are a very serious risk to seniors. Without quick help, it's likely the older adult who falls will lose independence and require a rehabilitation facility or nursing home.

Sometimes, it is hard to stop falls from happening. If a fall happens, the National Institutes of Health offer these suggestions: 

• Stay calm and take deep breaths to help relax.
• Roll onto your side and try to sit up.
• Rest there for a minute so that your body and blood pressure can adjust.
• Slowly try to rise up and crawl to a sturdy chair.
• Call someone for help and try to sit in the most comfortable position until help arrives.

Even minor injuries can make an older person's quality of life a lot worse. By knowing the dangers and taking steps to get rid of them, it's easy to make your home or your loved one's home a lot safer.

Jean Bandos is director of research at My Health Care Manager, a national company that helps seniors and their families stay healthy and live better.

Sources: CDC, NIH