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Feb 20, 20238 min read

Uncovering Senior Injury Hotspots in the Home: 5 Places to Avoid

As seniors age, it is important to be aware of the areas in your home that can become injury hotspots. Knowing where these senior injury hotspots are located and understanding how they can lead to falls or other types of injuries will help you take steps towards preventing them from occurring. In this blog post we’ll discuss five places in your home which may pose a risk: stairs, bathtubs and showers, kitchen, bedroom and laundry room/garage – all potential “senior injury hotspots in the home.” We'll provide statistics on how common falling accidents are for seniors as well as tips for avoiding an accident at each location plus what to do if you find yourself injured and immobilized alone at any one of these locations.

Falls Account for 25% of All Hospital Admissions and 40% of All Nursing Home Admissions

Falls are a major cause of injury and death among older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls account for 25% of all hospital admissions and 40% of all nursing home admissions. Of those admitted, 40% will never return to independent living, while 25% will die within one year.

These statistics demonstrate the need for greater awareness about fall prevention in our aging population. To reduce the risk of falls, it is important to identify potential hazards in and around the home that can lead to slips or trips—and then take steps to eliminate or fix them.

Common causes of falls include wet floors, loose rugs or carpets, poor lighting, uneven surfaces such as stairs without handrails, clutter on walkways or stairs, inadequate grab bars in bathrooms and showers, furniture not securely anchored against walls and lack of support when getting up from chairs or beds. It’s also important to make sure medications don’t interact with each other negatively; some drugs can cause dizziness which increases risk for falling.

Universal design features like no-step entries into homes, extra-wide hallways, accessible living spaces on ground floors, accessible light switches, and door levers can help reduce fall risks by making it easier for people with mobility issues to navigate their environment safely. Unfortunately, only 1 percent of housing units have these features according to the Harvard University Joint Center For Housing Studies report 2014.

Fortunately, there are resources available that provide information about how individuals can assess their own homes for safety hazards—as well as tips on how they can modify their environments so they remain safe at home longer as they age. Age Safe America provides comprehensive assessments tailored specifically toward seniors who want age-in-place safely—along with referrals if modifications are needed beyond what an individual is able do themselves.

Stairs

Stairs can be a tricky and dangerous place for seniors, especially those with mobility issues. Common injuries stemming from descending stairs may involve fractures, contusions, sprains, strains and lacerations. Precautionary steps should be taken when utilizing stairways in order to forestall any potential traumas, particularly for elderly individuals or those with limited mobility.

Common Injuries from Falling Down Stairs

Falls on stairs are one of the most common causes of injury among seniors. The force of plummeting multiple steps in succession can often result in a fracture or broken bone, one of the most frequent injuries caused by falls down stairs. Other potential injuries include sprains and strains in the muscles and joints as well as cuts and bruises from hitting hard surfaces while tumbling down the stairs.

Tips for Avoiding Falls on Stairs

To reduce your risk of falls on stairs it’s important to always use handrails when available; hold onto them firmly while ascending or descending staircases. Wear shoes that have good traction so you don’t slip or trip over any obstacles that may be present such as loose carpeting or uneven steps. Make sure all lighting is adequate so you can see where you are going clearly before taking each step up or down; if needed install additional lights along stairways if they are too dark to navigate safely during nighttime hours. Finally, remove any clutter around staircases which could cause tripping hazards such as toys left out by children playing nearby or other items that might obstruct your path while walking up/downstairs.

Stairs can be a treacherous place for seniors, but with the right knowledge and tools, it's possible to prevent falls and injury. Let's now delve into the potential for harm from slipping in bathrooms, and how to prevent it through informed decision-making.

Key Takeaway: Seniors ought to exercise additional care when climbing stairs in order to avoid slips and falls, including grasping handrails firmly, wearing shoes with adequate grip, and ensuring the vicinity is illuminated adequately and free of obstructions.

Bathtubs and Showers

Slipping in the bathroom can be a serious risk for seniors, especially those with limited mobility. Common injuries from slipping in the bathtub or shower include sprains and strains of the muscles and ligaments, fractures of the bones, cuts and bruises. In extreme cases, falls can even lead to head trauma or death.

In order to prevent slips and falls in the bathroom, it is essential to take certain precautions such as installing grab bars near toilets, showers and tubs; using non-slip mats on floors; keeping surfaces dry all of the time; wearing shoes when entering bathrooms; avoiding slippery soaps or oils while bathing; and not carrying items that could cause tripping hazards while walking around wet areas. Moreover, one should check for loose tiles or flooring which may lead to an accident.

Ensuring the utmost caution is taken in bathrooms to avert falls and injuries is critical, particularly for elderly individuals, as this environment can be hazardous. Now let's move on to another common area of concern for senior safety: the kitchen.

Kitchen

Cooking and cleaning in the kitchen can be a hazardous activity for seniors. Slippery floors, sharp knives, hot surfaces, and heavy objects are all potential hazards that could lead to serious injury or even death. Common injuries from cooking and cleaning in the kitchen include burns, cuts, slips and falls. In order to guard against potential harm, it is essential to observe safety measures while working in the kitchen.

One way to avoid injury while cooking or cleaning is to wear appropriate clothing such as non-slip shoes with good traction on slippery surfaces. It’s also important to keep your work area clean by wiping up spills immediately so they don’t become a slipping hazard later on. When using sharp knives or other tools make sure you have a firm grip on them at all times so you don’t accidentally cut yourself or someone else nearby. When dealing with hot objects, such as pots and pans from the stovetop or any other items that may be too warm for unprotected hands to manage safely, it is essential to don oven mitts.

Bedroom

The bedroom can become a dumping ground for our daily objects, like purses, bags, books, shoes, and clothing. However, if these items end up on the floor, they can create tripping hazards that present real danger. Maintaining a clear floor area is the first step to making your room a safer space. The second step to a safer bedroom is to make sure your closet space is clear and accessible. Items perched on high shelves can be hard to reach, and getting them can lead to strains, falls, or falling objects.

Rugs can present their own dangers—a rug that bunches up or folds over can become a subtle but dangerous trip hazard. A way to prevent rug troubles is anti-slip rug tape, which is a product designed to hold your rug in place flat on the floor. Additionally, similarly grippy materials can be applied to the feet of stools, chairs, or the feet of your bed, if necessary, to make sure your furniture doesn't slide when you are sitting down or standing up.

Laundry Room/Garage

Any room that serves as storage presents a lot of possible opportunities for injury. Because laundry rooms and garages are used more infrequently than other living spaces in the home, they both tend to become magnets for clutter. Cupboards, closets, and shelves can become crowded with items that you do not need to access daily but can’t bear the thought of throwing away just yet. Many projects live half-finished in the garage, waiting for a day when you have the time to finally finish them. However, these piles of clutter can accumulate into unsteady towers that threaten to topple over if disturbed.

The best step to keeping yourself safe in these rooms is to be proactive: tackle the clutter before it becomes a mountain! Taking a little time each week to assess and organize these areas can help keep things manageable. This way, you do not risk a dangerous climb to retrieve an item, or have to dismantle a stack of boxes to find a missing keepsake. Most importantly: if these areas have gotten out of control, do not attempt to tackle a huge project alone. The safest way to clean these areas is with the help of an able-bodied friend or family member. This also prevents you from working in these areas alone.

Key Takeaway: Seniors should take proper safety precautions while cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, such as wearing non-slip shoes and using oven mitts when handling hot items, to avoid serious injuries like burns, cuts, slips and falls.

Simple Changes Can Make a Measurable Impact

When it comes to making your home safer for seniors, small changes can make a big difference.

Lighting

Good lighting is essential for senior safety. Make sure that all areas of the house are well lit and free from shadows or dark spots. Consider adding night lights in hallways and bathrooms, as well as motion-sensor lights outside the front door and other entry points. Also be sure to replace any burned out bulbs promptly.

Flooring

Flooring can be a major hazard for seniors who may have difficulty with balance or vision issues. Remove throw rugs that could cause tripping hazards, and consider replacing hardwood floors with non-slip tiles or carpeting if needed. If you’re using area rugs, make sure they are secured firmly to the floor with double-sided tape or rug pads so they don’t slip when stepped on.

Bathroom Safety

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house due to wet surfaces and slippery tubs/showers – both of which increase risk of falls significantly. Install grab bars near toilets, showers, bathtubs, etc., as well as rubber mats inside shower stalls/bathtubs to provide extra traction while bathing/showering. You should also consider installing raised toilet seats (with armrests) for added comfort and stability when sitting down or standing up from the toilet seat itself. This will reduce strain on joints, also. Finally, check faucets regularly for leaks since these can lead to water damage over time if left unchecked – this includes checking pipes under sinks too.

Staircases & Railings

Stairs pose an especially high risk factor due to their height; railings should always be installed along staircases in order ensure safe passage up and down them at all times—even during nighttime hours when visibility may be limited. Additionally, handrails should extend beyond each step by at least three inches so that users have something secure enough to hold onto while ascending/descending stairs safely without slipping off balance easily (or worse). Finally check steps regularly for signs of wear & tear such as loose screws or nails sticking out; these need immediate attention before someone trips over them.

FAQs

Where are two places that people commonly fall in the home?

The two places that people commonly fall in the home are the bathroom and the kitchen.

Where do most falls in the home occur?

Most falls in the home occur near stairs, on wet or slippery surfaces, and in areas where there is clutter.

What type of mishap causes most injuries in the home?

The most common type of injury in the home is a fall.

What is the most common type of injury in a home?

The most common type of injury in a home is a fall.

Conclusion

It is essential for elderly people to be conscious of the possible hazards that exist in their dwellings. Knowing where the senior injury hotspots are can help us take steps to avoid falls or other injuries. Taking measures such as installing grab bars, skid strips, and enhanced lighting can help reduce the risk of falling in these areas. If misfortune strikes and you find yourself incapacitated at home, help is accessible to get assistance quickly. Being mindful of your surroundings and taking proactive steps can go a long way towards keeping you safe from harm in your own home.

Seniors should be able to age in place safely and securely. However, many homes are filled with potential hazards that can lead to serious injury for seniors. It's important for all of us—family members, caregivers, medical professionals and policy makers—to work together to identify these hotspots in the home so we can prevent injuries from occurring before they happen. Let's create a safer environment where seniors can thrive without fear of harm or injury due to their living space!

This article was written by Michelle Strickland at Aging.com