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Prevent Falls
When you have osteoporosis, you’re at a much greater risk of breaking a bone. Improving bone density is important and so is preventing falls. A major cause of broken bones for people with osteoporosis is falling.
In addition to improving balance, there are six simple house modifications you can make to prevent falls in your home.
Before explaining these 6 tips, an important disclosure:
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Tip #1 – Beware of Rugs!
Rugs can be great. They give us a place to wipe our dirty shoes when we come into our house.
They make our hardwood floors softer, and they keep our feet from getting cold when we slide out of bed on a cold winter’s morning.
Unfortunately, rugs have proven themselves to be a serious tripping hazard too.
One thing you can do to prevent falls, is to make sure your rug has non-slip rug pads underneath them.
If you’re buying a new rug, thinner rugs are less of a tripping hazard and recommended over thicker rugs.
Tip #2 – Have Clear and Well Lit Hallways
In addition to rugs, another common fall area is hallways.
Sometimes hallways can become cluttered or cramped which can increase the risk of tripping and falling.
Therefore, you will reduce this risk if you keep those hallways clear and well lit!
Tip #3 – Use Tape and/or Lights on Stairs and Steps
This tip comes from my physical therapy education and an experience I had in my family!
A few years back my husband broke his right foot on the stairs because it was dark, and he couldn’t see the bottom step.
One issue was that the stairs were not well lit. Another issue was that the last step was the same type of surface as the floor below.
You can prevent falls by installing anti-slip fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark tape on the stairs. This will make them more visible, even in the dark!
It is a good idea to make sure the staircase is well lit in general.
You can also put lighting on individual steps to make each step more visible. Good lighting will reduce the risk of tripping and falling.
Also, make sure front and back porches are well lit. Lighting and/or fluorescent tape for steps in split level homes and on front and back porches can help prevent falls as well.
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Tip #4 – Use Handrails in Risky Areas
There are a few areas of the house where handrails can reduce the risk of falling.
Installing handrail on some staircases can offer extra support.
A handrail next next to the toilet can help someone stand up with greater ease.
Additionally, handrails inside/outside of the shower and bathtub give people greater stability on slippery surfaces.
They can help when standing from a seated position and can offer support while standing and washing in the shower and bathtub.
Tip #5 – Non-slip Mats/Rugs in Bathrooms
The bathtub and shower are high risk areas where slips, trips and falls can occur.
To prevent falls, you should use a non-slip mat in your bathtub.
In addition, you should put a non-slip rug outside of your bathtub and shower as this area can be slippery.
Tip #6 – Bath or Shower Chairs
Another good product that can help prevent falls and slips in the shower and bath, is a bath/shower chair.
Instead of having to stand while showering, you can sit and wash in the chair or rest as needed.
Buy a chair for your bathtub to make it easier for you to get out of the tub. With the chair, you will be able to stand up and get out from a higher surface.
So. . .
When you have osteoporosis, you’re at a much greater risk of breaking a bone. You can reduce the likelihood of a broken bone by preventing slips, trips and falls.
Remember these 6 tips to help prevent falls:
1 – Install a non-slip rug pad underneath your rug and buy rugs that are thin.
2 – Have uncluttered and well lit hallways.
3 – Use lights or fluorescent tape on your stairs.
4 – Install handrails in high risk areas such as the toilet area or the shower and bathtub.
5 – Use non-slip mats in your bath and non-slip rugs outside of your bath and shower.
6 – Use a chair when bathing and showering to further prevent falls.
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Learn MORE here!
What is Osteoporosis and What are the Risks?
3 Common Treatments for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis and Weight Bearing Exercises
