Seniors Home Care (SHC), a privately owned company operated by a Registered Nurse, has been providing professional and compassionate St. Louis-area elder care since 1987. SHC offers complete personal and household services that allow seniors to maintain their dignity and independence, wherever they call home.

1. S E N I O R S H O M E C A R E
ELDERLY FALL PREVENTION
THROUGH HOME MODIFICATIONS

2. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
• Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injury
for elderly citizens. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, one out of three older adults fall
each year. Though falls might not cause injury, they
often lead to fear of falling, which results in limiting
activities, thus, reducing mobility and physical fitness,
which in turn causes an actual increase in fall risk.
• One way to prevent elderly falls is home modifications.
Creating a safer home environment makes daily
activities easier to perform and helps prevent falls and
injury.

3. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
This checklist will help your elderly loved ones remain safe and
independent in home as long as possible.
• Keep walking areas clear. Don’t leave clutter (such as shoes
or newspapers) on the floor or stairs. Never store anything near
doorways or hallways. Cords and wires should be run along
the wall, where they cannot be tripped over. Do not tuck
cords under carpet. This may involve rearranging furniture to
create clear pathways between rooms.
• Keep rooms, stairs and hallways well lit. Install easy-access light
switches at room entrances, the top and bottom of staircases,
and on both ends of hallways. Always turn on lights before
entering a dark area.

4. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
• Secure or remove area rugs or loose carpeting. Use
double-sided tape, tacks or slip-resistant backing on
small rugs. On stairs, solid carpeting defines the edges of
steps more clearly than patterned, dark or deep-pile
carpeting. Get rid of throw rugs and small area rugs at
the tops and bottoms of stairs.
• Install handrails on both sides of staircases. Handrails
should be secure, strong and run the entire length of the
stairs.
• Don’t trip over pets. Know where pets are whenever you
stand or walk.

5. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
• Use a non-skip mat or strips inside the bathtub and on any
surfaces that may get wet or slippery. Place a slip-resistant rug
by the bathtub for safe exit and entry. If you cannot lower
yourself to the floor of the tub or if you are unsteady, use a
sturdy, plastic seat in the bathtub.
• Install grab bars near toilets and inside and around your
bathtub or shower. If necessary, steady yourself on the toilet
by using a raised seat or seat with armrests.
• Use nightlights along the path between your bedroom and
bathroom.
• Keep a lamp, telephone and flashlight (with extra batteries)
near your bed.

6. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
• Use a bed that is easy to get in and out of. This also
applies to chairs and sofas in the rest of the house.
Before getting out of bed, sit up for several minutes
before standing.
• Store frequently used items in easy-to-access areas.
Arrange the closet so clothes are easy to reach. Store
food, dishes and cooking equipment within reach. Never
stand on chairs or boxes to reach upper cabinets.
• Always clean up spills right away. Similarly, see that loose
wooden floorboards are replaced immediately
(especially in stairways).

7. PREVENTING ELDERLY FALLS
Walk through your elderly loved one’s home. When
you spot potential fall risks, make appropriate
modifications. A home care company can also be
helpful. A good home care company will do a home
assessment and make recommendations to prevent
elderly falls. If a senior is deemed a fall risk, they may
benefit from a caregiver to help with tasks that
become too difficult or dangerous.