My mother-in-law has fallen several times in her home, and we’d
like to make her home safer. What are some ways we can make her home more
"fall-proof"?
If your mother-in-law is living alone, then you and she may
wish to speak your local office of the aging, or a social worker, to determine
if she needs more assistance to live more safely at home for as long as
possible. A home evaluation can also be conducted to determine what special
needs your mother-in-law may have. Some communities offer this service for free;
other communities may refer you to a home healthcare agency on a fee-for-service
basis. A geriatric clinic may be better equipped to help you and your mother
evaluate the need for social services, a need that may increase with time.
General safety guidelines
First, consider some or all of these general safety guidelines:
- Have emergency numbers (police, fire, poison control and a neighbor’s
phone number) readily available in case of emergency. Suggestion: write
these numbers on a sticker and put on the receiver. Consider purchasing a
programmable phone. Phones developed for those with low vision may be most
appropriate for an older person no matter what their vision status, since
they are easy to use and have large high-contrast features.
- Have at least one phone located where it is always accessible.
Suggestion: keep a cordless phone in your pocket. This is especially
important if you fall and can’t get up to use the phone. Consider leasing a
lifeline button through your local hospital or via a national company. These
are low-cost but work anywhere in the home, as long as the person is wearing
the button.
- Make sure smoke detectors work properly.
- Avoid the use of space heaters and electric blankets; these are fire
hazards.
- Make sure halls, stairways, and entrances are well lit. Install a
night-light in your bathroom and hallway. Make sure there is a light switch
at the top and bottom of the staircase. Turn lights on if you get up in the
middle of the night. Make sure lamps or light switches are within reach of
the bed if you have to get up during the night.
- Make sure treads, rails and rugs are secure on all stairways. Install a
rail on both sides of the stairs. If stairs are steep, it may be helpful to
arrange most of your activities on the lower level to reduce the number of
times stairs must be climbed.