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For many elderly people the home can be a hazardous place. Homes with loose throw rugs, runners and mats, curled carpet edges, poor lighting, electrical cords, slippery uncarpeted floors, and stairs can turn into booby traps.

Each year, some 12,000 mostly elderly Americans die as a result of falls. In fact, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States and the leading cause of injuries. Hip fractures, a major complication of falls in the elderly, occur in more than 250,000 Americans each year. Nearly 90 percent of these cases occur in people who are 65 years old or older.

Older people are more likely to have health problems, to be taking medications that can impair their balance, strength, or vision, and have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that produces brittleness and softness of the bones and makes older people susceptible to breaks.

A Yale School of Medicine study of people ages 72 and older living in and around New Haven, Conn., found that the most dangerous part of the house was the floor in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. In nearly 80 percent of homes, the floor was filled with "little dangers" that represent major hazards, such as throw rugs, carpet edges, small objects, electrical cords and slippery floors.

Stairways were the second most dangerous zone, according to the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health. Nightlights and light switches at the top and bottom of stairways were missing, as were handrails. Uneven steps spelled further trouble.

The bathroom was determined to be the most dangerous room. That's because tubs and showers usually lack nonskid mats or abrasive strips and grab bars. In addition to poor lighting, toilets were typically too wobbly or too low for an older person to rise from safely.

Kitchens were next on the list, with poor lighting, unstable step stools and storage areas that required an older person to reach high or bend low.

Preventing falls

Preventing falls is key to avoiding injury from osteoporosis. Weak bones are slow to heal; so even a minor fracture can be disabling to an elderly person. To prevent falls, the American Federation for Aging Research offers the following advice for older people:

Do a safety check around your home

Get rid of rugs or cords that might trip you. Have someone install sturdy handrails on all stairways and grab bars in bathrooms. Cover stairs with lightly woven carpet or non-slip treads. Do not wax floors. Always clean up spills as soon as they happen. Avoid climbing and reaching up to high shelves. Use a step stool with handrails.

Take an exercise class that will increase your strength and improve your balance

Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta found that the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi improved balance in older people after just a few weeks and cut the risk of falling nearly in half. Before taking any exercise class, be sure to get approval from your health care provider.

Check your medications

Any time you get a new prescription for any condition, ask your pharmacist or health care provider about side effects such as dizziness or blurred vision that may upset your balance.

Dress right

Always wear low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for good traction. Never wear slippers, shoes with leather soles or high heels. Ask your health care provider about protective gear, such as gel-filled clothing and accessories that protect your limbs and hips in case you do fall.

Drink moderately

Not only does alcohol interfere with healthy bone formation, but also drinking can make you unsteady and put you in danger of falling and fracturing your bones.

External Resources: The American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons American Federation for Aging Research American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons National Osteoporosis Foundation American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

This article was published on 1999-10-18
This article was reviewed on 2003-02-03