Did you know? According to the National Institute of Health, six out of every 10 falls among seniors happen in the home. As an adult child, having elderly parents who live alone can be scary, so it’s truly in your best interest to ensure their home is as safe as it can possibly be.

Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team has listed some effective ways to help your parents be safer at home below, so keep reading!

• Here’s what to do: Install grab bars in the home. This is one of the best things you can do for your elderly parents, as grab bars are easy, convenient items that significantly lower the risk of falling. Install them in places like the bathroom and the stairs.
• What to do next: Make sure your parents’ home is well-lit. More light will help your parents see better, thus reducing their risk of tripping and falling. If they don’t like bright overhead lights, add more lamps.
• What to do after: Remove tripping hazards from their home. Fall hazards can come in many forms, but they most often come in the form of a stray wire, boxes, loose newspaper and loose rugs. If your parents enjoy rugs, lay their rugs over a rubber pad so they stay in one place and don’t slide around.
• Something else to consider: Encourage your parents to wear safe footwear. This includes sturdy shoes with non-slip soles and socks with rubber grips on the bottom.
• Another prevention tip: Evaluate their chairs. If they aren’t sturdy, fix them or replace them. Wobbly chairs can easily break, which can cause injuries.
• One more tip: Organize their closets, or have your parents organize their closets. Regularly accessed items should be placed where they can be reached safely.
• Action steps to take: When your parents get older, it’s important to know their fall risk. Consult your doctor or have them to talk to their doctor about this important information.
• Doctor recommendations: An important, effective way to keep your parents safer is by consult with their doctor about their medications. Some prescription and OTC medications can cause drowsiness and dizziness, which can greatly increase the risk of falling.

Our AFC team is here for your parents! If they do end up falling and need an X-ray, visit us ASAP to get an accurate diagnosis.