Accidents Don’t Just Happen
Accidents seldom “just happen,” and many can be prevented. Accidental injuries become more frequent and more serious in later life. Attention to safety is especially important for older persons.
To prevent falls it is important to maintain mental and physical health and conditions, to pay attention to the home environment and to cultivate good safety habits.
Falls are a common cause of admission to a skilled nursing facility. Proper lighting can help prevent them. Here are some things to keep in mind:
* See that all stairways are well lighted. If there aren’t light switches at top and bottom, could family have them added?
* Are there night lights or bedside remote-control light switches?
* Are there hand rails on both sides of the stairways?
* Is carpeting on stairs tacked down? Are there non-skid treads?
* Remove throw rugs that tend to slide.
* Arrange furniture and other objects so they are not obstacles.
Very nice!!