Each year, millions of adults aged 65 and older fall. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.
One of the key ways to help older adults prevent falls is reduce tripping hazards throughout the house.
Dave Taylor, Amramp Eastern Tennessee, identified 4 trip points at a veteran’s home in Thompsons Station, Tennessee. Dave was able to install some threshold ramps inside and outside the home to allow the veteran to more easily and safely go from room to room and out onto their patio.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends these tips on how to prevent falls among older adults:
- Exercise regularly. It is important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance, and that they get more challenging over time. Tai Chi programs are especially good.
- Ask their doctor or pharmacist to review their medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions such as dizziness or drowsiness.
- Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and update their eyeglasses to maximize their vision. Consider getting a pair with single vision distance lenses for some activities such as walking outside.
- Make their homes safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways, and improving the lighting in their homes.
For more information on keeping our senior population safe, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Home & Recreational Safety website – https://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html
About Amramp
Amramp installs wheelchair ramps, grab bars, railings, stairlifts and other accessibility products throughout the US and parts of Canada at homes, businesses, schools and institutions. Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering sturdy, customizable wheelchair ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled population to remain safely in their homes with independence and mobility. Ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the building structure as they are not a permanent modification to the building. Amramp products are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no ramp size restrictions – they can even be rented for just one day for a special event or a visitor who struggles with stairs!.
Amramp steel ramps are fireproof and provide a more stable, non-flammable exit in case of fire. Wood and aluminum are not fireproof.
Amramp also installs Grab bars, Railings, Vertical Platform Lifts, Stairlifts, Automatic Door Openers, Overhead Patient Lifts, Portable, roll-in wheelchair showers and other assistive devices.
Visit Amramp.com for more information on how Amramp can make your home safer and more accessible.
