Quick Fixes

...To keep you from falling.

Home is where the heart is; unfortunately, it’s also where about half of all falls take place. “Older adults spend a lot more time at home, and they don’t realize there are things around their home that can make them lose their balance and fall,” says Madhuri Kale, a physical therapist at Harvard–affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

With falls sending about three million older people to emergency departments each year and causing 95% of hip fractures among older adults, it’s time to take steps to protect your mobility and independence. Look around your home with this list, evaluate potential fall risks, and make necessary fixes in every room.

In The Bedroom

The risk: A lack of lighting for nighttime trips to the bathroom or kitchen. “Many older adults have difficulty with vision, especially in the dark. If you can’t see things, you may easily bump into them and fall,” says Kale.

The fix: Light the pathways you know you’ll use when it’s dark in your home. Install night lights or motion sensor lights.

In The Living Room

The risk: Furniture that blocks the flow of traffic; rugs that could slip; loose wall-to-wall carpeting; floor clutter.