It's not the kitchen and it's not even the basement storage room. OK, it's the bathroom. According to research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society:
In 2015, the estimated medical costs attributable to fatal and nonfatal falls was approximately $50 billion. For nonfatal falls, Medicare paid approximately $28.9 billion, Medicaid $8.7 billion, and private and other payers $12.0 billion. Overall medical spending for fatal falls was estimated to be $754 million;
As the number of Americans, age 65 and older, grows we can expect the number of fall injuries and the cost to treat these injuries to soar, and last fact;
Approximately 30% of adults aged 65 and older fall each year and these falls often result in serious injuries, decreases in mobility, and loss of independence.
What can be done to help prevent these falls in the home? Well, there are many ways we can address these concerns, but the first thing is to not procrastinate and put things off. The second thing is assess your specific needs. If your less steady on your feet than others, you may need a more support. At a minimum, I recommend the following to help you avoid preventable falls:
Add grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower stall. These are the two areas that seniors and those less mobile have trouble getting up, in, and out. I can help you pick out the right style for you. That is, many grab bars are dual-use designed to look like a toilet paper holder or even a shampoo rack.
Add floor lighting in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallways. This can be as simple as adding an outlet with small LED lights that come on and off as the room light changes.
Call me today (240) 324-8081 and I can help you assess your (or your loved ones) fall prevention needs. Together we can determine what your options are and how to address them today and into the future.
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