5 Hidden Hazards that Cause Elderly Slip and Fall Accidents

Home Care Services Merced CA – 5 Hidden Hazards that Cause Elderly Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents injure more than 2.8 million elderly adults in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these injuries are so serious that they change the senior’s life forever and require months of healing and a loss of independence. In some cases, the injuries prove fatal.

Family caregivers that want to help their elderly loved ones avoid injuries from a slip and fall accident need to watch out for the hidden hazards at home and work to eliminate them. When family members and home care services assistants can help the elderly person create a clean and safe environment, the risk of a slip and fall accidents goes down dramatically.

Here are 5 hidden hazards that family caregivers and home care services aides can eliminate from inside an elderly person’s living space.

1. Clutter and Debris The most obvious causes of tripping and slipping are large things left on the floor, like clothing or newspapers. However, it doesn’t take much to cause an elderly person to become unsteady on their feet. Sometimes even a little item on the floor causes the elderly person to overcorrect their gait and it is this overcorrection that causes them to lose their balance.
2.  Liquid Spills When liquid spills onto a hard surface, it can become extremely slippery. That’s why areas like the bathroom and the kitchen are the most likely places for an elderly person to have a slip and fall accident. It’s important to also watch for weather-related slippery conditions near doorways caused by melted snow or rain.
3. Throw Rugs Even though throw rugs are supposed to be on the floor, they are a major tripping hazard. Many seniors can’t lift their feet up very high and thy frequently catch their foot on the edge of the rug. Family caregivers should only allow rugs that don’t have a very high pile. Also, throw rug should have a dense rubber backing that prevents it from becoming an obstacle for seniors.
4. Poor Maintenance When the flooring itself needs some attention, it can cause an elderly person to have a slip and fall accident. Examples include too much wear and ear on a carpet, loose tile, warped floorboards and cracked or peeling vinyl. Another hazard is not using the right cleaning products on the flooring, which can cause slippery or sticky areas. Family members and home care aides need to be aware of this kind of hidden tripping hazard.
5. Walking Aides Believe it or not, walkers and canes cause more tripping and falling than most of the other hazards here. When seniors aren’t taught how to properly use these devices, they can end up creating big problems. A doctor or physical therapist can instruct an elderly person on how to use the walker or cane the right way. When used properly, walkers and cane are a big asset in preventing falls.

Source:  https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Merced CA, please contact the caring staff at Valley Home Care.  Call (800) 604-5180.