Article Series Home Services
How to get around your home with greater ease and safety (Home Services Callout)
How to move around you home safely and easily
According to Statistics Canada, falls are the cause of 85% of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadians over 65. They’re also the result of 95% of all hip fractures. Falls can result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, loss of independence, and in some extreme cases, even death.
However, falls are also preventable. There are many proactive steps that you can take to avoid them and move around your home with ease and safety. Continue reading for some top tips!
Make simple changes for a safer home
If you’re looking for ways to make your home safer, there are some tactics that you can implement right away.
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Clear the clutter
This is especially important in high-traffic areas such as hallways, entryways, and stairways. Pay particular attention to loose rugs and cables that may be a tripping hazard as well as coffee mugs that have been left on the floor. If you have a pet, be extra vigilant so you don’t trip over them.
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Light the way
Make sure your lighting is bright enough to fully illuminate any obstacles or tripping hazards. It’s also a good idea to install light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs. That way you don’t have to go up or down in the dark. Finally, use nightlights in hallways to light your way to the bathroom during hours of darkness.
Try out a mobility aid
Mobility aids such as canes, walkers, and rollators can help you move around more confidently and safely both inside and outside your home. You can add a tray or basket to many rollators and walkers, making them useful for maintaining your balance and safely carrying food, drinks, and other items around your home.
Wellwise by Shoppers™ offers a wide range of canes, rollators, and walkers for you to explore.
Consider home adaptations
It might be necessary to make more substantial adaptations to your home to ensure you can continue to get around it safely and easily.
With its hard, slippery surfaces, the bathroom is a common location for falls. You can help make your bathroom safer with the addition of grab bars in the bathtub, shower, and next to the toilet. A raised toilet seat is often a useful addition if you find it difficult to get on and off the toilet. And if it’s hard for you to stand in the shower or sit down in the tub, a shower or bath chair could be helpful. Bath transfer benches extend beyond the side of the bathtub making it possible to get in without having to stand on one leg as you step over the side. Another bathroom essential is a rubber-backed bath mat to help avoid slipping on wet surfaces with puddles of water.
Other adaptations that can make moving around your home easier and safer are stairlifts, as well as home entry lifts and elevators. If you or someone you live with uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter, widening doorways or considering ramps for easier access might also be a good idea.
If you’re thinking about making some home modifications but don’t know where to start, connect with the Wellwise Home Services Team at 1-888-603-4369 or visit the Home Services section of wellwise.ca. Our CAPS-certified consultants will carry out an assessment of your home and make recommendations to suit your mobility requirements.
According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of Canadians want to age in their own home, however only 26% believe they’ll be able to do so. By making adaptations to your home, it can continue to meet your needs and be a safe place to live for years to come.
The information presented in this article is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information in this post as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional counseling care. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Resources
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/201203/dq201203a-eng.htm