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The Prevention of Slips, Trips & Falls in the Elderly

Many elderly people face an increased risk of slips, trips and falls -- and steps need to be taken to prevent these occurrences, especially in the home. The increased risk of falling is coupled with a higher likelihood from complications related to the fall. An elderly person faces double the chance of death due to falls as a younger person does, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

  1. Preventing Slips

    • Slippery surfaces can be treacherous to a person with less than perfect stability, or someone is slower to react once his balance is lost. The bathroom is the worst culprit for slips. The slippery surface of the tub, shower or a wet floor make slipping easy. Install a permanent bath mat in the shower to reduce the chances of slipping and always have a towel or mat on the floor outside the shower to provide traction. Safety rails around the bathroom are also helpful.

    Trips

    • Tripping over unseen obstacles can be avoided more easily than some other safety hazards. Make sure to never leave clutter on the floor. If this is too difficult to maintain, a housekeeper is a valuable assert. Also, any pieces of low-lying furniture or furniture with protruding edges should be moved out of the primary pathways through the home to avoid turning it into a tripping hazard.

    Falls

    • Eliminating trips and slips is helpful, but falls are still a risk, especially on stairs. For those who have only lost slight amounts of stability on stairs, the installation of a sturdy railing is the best measure. Also, cover stairs in a material that provides traction, not slippery plush carpet or a similar material. For those who have more trouble with stairs or are at higher risk of falling, some type of mobility lift to assist with ascending or descending stairs is recommended.

    Walking Aid

    • A walking aid helps elderly people because it assists in fall prevention everywhere, not just in the home. Even a simple elegant walking stick or cane provides enough added stability to avoid a potential fall. For those that may have more problems with balance or strength, a more effective solution like a walker might be required. The inconvenience of using these items is small compared to the risk of falling.

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