Home Safety Tips to Prevent Falls in Berks County

Over 14 million older adults report having a fall every year.

Falls Prevention Awareness Month is here! Each year, we call attention to fall risk and safety tips during September.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more and more older adults are dying because of falls every year. Of all adults over 65 who die from an injury, nearly half of them die from a fall. This makes falls the leading cause of injury-related death for seniors. Let’s turn this around! Read our blog for home safety tips and local organizations that can help you with home modifications.

Home Safety Tips

The National Institutes of Health has 27 Institutes and Centers, including the National Institute on Aging (NIA). One of their resources, “Preventing Falls at Home,” takes you through fall safety tips room-by-room:

• Bathroom: Grab bars placed near toilets, tubs, and showers can make it easier to sit down and stand up safely. Non-slip or non-skid mats can be placed in the shower and other areas that get wet. Use a night light in the bathroom or leave bathroom lights on when it gets dark.
• Bedroom: Keep important belongings close to the bed, like phones and flashlights. You might want to install night lights in the bedroom as well.
• Outside: You can also place non-slip and non-skid mats on outdoor walkways. You can also install a grab bar by doors to make it easier to stand while locking or unlocking. If you get ice and snow in the winter, road salt can make it safer to walk.
• Stairways and Walkways: Check all walkways for any obstacles. Indoors, make sure shoes, cords, and end tables are not in the way. Outdoors, remove debris like branches from all paths.

Accessibility Solutions 360

Accessibility Solutions 360 is a team of home modification professionals serving all of Pennsylvania. This includes Reading, PA. They specialize in a wide range of accessible home modifications, including:

• Adjustable shelving
• Altro wet room flooring
• Appropriate sink and counter heights
• Barrier-free showers
• Ceiling lifts
• Elevated toilets
• Room conversions
• Room additions
• Small space design options
• Straight and curved stairlifts
• Telecab home elevators
• Vertical platform lifts
• Walk-in bathtubs
• Wheelchair ramps

Accessibility Solutions 360 is certified by the National Association of Home Builders. They are certified to complete home modifications that support aging in place. They’re also fully insured and licensed. On top of this, they’ll service any items they install. To start the process, visit their website and fill out the form for a free estimate.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Berks County is revitalizing our neighborhoods through affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. Have you heard of their Home Repair Program? Qualifying families can receive up to $20,000 to put toward critical home repairs. There is no interest to worry about. This is specifically for non-cosmetic renovations. This may include roofing projects, plumbing, electrical, and window repairs. Habitat for Humanity hires qualified contractors for all projects.

Griswold Home Care for Berks County

We’re Griswold, a non-medical in-home care provider located in Wyomissing, PA. We can support your loved one around the clock, or just for part of the day. Your Griswold Caregiver can move in with you, or multiple Caregivers can work throughout the day if you don’t want someone living in your home. Whether you need live-in care, 24-hour care, or hourly care, we’re here to help. Give us a call today!