Mobility limitations can be challenging for seniors at home. Whether they’re going through physical therapy following an injury or dealing with a chronic disability, you need to make sure they’re safe. Slip-and-fall accidents can have serious health consequences that may require surgery and extensive recovery time. To ensure your loved one remains safe at home, follow the tips below. 

Ways to Prevent Senior Slip-and-Falls at Home

1. Add Grab Bars

If your loved one can move without a walker or other mobility equipment, it’s still beneficial to add features that can make them feel safer around the home. Grab bars are a useful addition to hallways, bathrooms, the kitchen, and living areas where they may need help getting up. Consider routes they often take and ask where they could use a little help. You can place grab bars on hallway walls to ensure they reach a room safely. Use shower benches, tub bridges, and other bathroom fixtures for added slip-and-fall prevention.

2. Clean Clutter Off the Floor

Clutter on the floor can cause an accident, so clean up any areas of concern. Tape down any wires running across open flooring and remove rugs that your loved one may catch their foot on. If they’re undergoing physical therapy and aren’t able to immediately keep their home clean, consider hiring a home health aid to provide an additional hand with everyday cleaning.

3. Install Traction Pads

Homes that feature hardwood, vinyl flooring, and tile all increase the risk of slip-and-falls compared to carpeted areas. To ensure your loved one has plenty of traction, add fall-proof pads to these areas. They’re easy to lay down and they’re long-lasting. The kitchen and bathroom should be priorities, and as with the grab bars, pay attention to where your loved one spends the majority of their time at home so you can add them there.

If your loved one has suffered an injury and needs physical therapy, turn to the team at Step By Step Physical Therapy. Located in Warsaw, NY, they offer recovery services for several issues, including arthritis, sports injuries, and general pain. A physical therapist will build a personalized rehabilitation plan to achieve the best results. Call (585) 786-8700 to schedule a consultation and visit their website to learn more about their physical therapy services.