National Safety Month aims to educate families on keeping aging loved ones safe at home. Falls are common among older adults, with over a third falling each year, but less than half discuss this with their doctor. BrightStar Care provides tips to make key areas of the home safer, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms, using non-slip mats, and ensuring good lighting. A checklist is offered to review safety in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and outside areas. Resources are available to help prevent falls and locate quality in-home care.

1. As National Safety Month approaches,
solutions for keeping aging loved
ones safe in their homes

2. According to the Centers for Disease
Control, one out of three older adults,
aged 65 or older, falls each year but
less than half talk to their healthcare
providers about it.

3. June is National Safety Month, and
BrightStar Care seeks to educate
families on how to identify household
hazards that can lead to injuries and
how to make simple changes in their
homes that can decrease the
likelihood of their aging loved ones
falling victim.

4. As people age, their risk and fear of falling increases, and, as a
result, they tend to self-limit activities and social engagements,
which can lead to further physical decline, depression, social
isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
In addition, when a fall occurs, the
average hospital stay is almost twice
as long for fall victims than other
ailments.

5. On the heels of an initiative to educate family caregivers on how to
identify a healthcare agency that is held to the highest standards
possible, BrightStar Care is helping families make sure each major
area of the home is safe for their aging loved one..

6. Sharon Roth Maguire, MS, RN, GNP-BC, Chief Clinical Quality
Officer of BrightStar Care, offers the following checklist to make
each major area of the home safe for seniors:

7. Kitchen
• Store sharp knives and other utensils in a rack.
• Mark “on” and “off” positions on appliances clearly and with
bright colors.
• Switch out food regularly (check expiration dates).
• Ensure that your loved one avoids wearing loose, long-hanging
clothing when cooking over the stove.

8. Bathroom
• Install grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower floor.
• Clearly label cold and hot faucets.

9. Bedroom
• Keep a nightlight illuminated in the room.
• Make sure there is a nightstand next to the bed with a lamp,
telephone, clock and additional space for any other important
items (such as medications).

10. General safety/outside
• Periodically check and change smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors.
• Front and back doors should have strong, bolted locks and a
peephole.
• Stairways should be free of objects and handrails should be
sturdy.
• Garage door is easy to operate
• All extension cords and wires should be out of the path of foot
traffic and not plugged in to too many electronics.

11. To find helpful tips, videos, blog articles and downloads geared
toward helping families to mobilize around fall prevention,
please see the Elderly Fall Resource Center.

12. Find Quality Care Now
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