Most falls happen at home, doing ordinary things — and a fall can change everything for an older adult overnight. The good news: some of the most effective prevention costs nothing and takes about ten minutes. Here are the three I tell every family to do this weekend.
1. Pick up the throw rugs
Loose throw rugs are the number-one tripping hazard in the home. That decorative runner in the hallway, the little rug by the sink, the mat at the back door — the edges catch a shuffling foot or a walker wheel. Either remove them, or secure every edge with double-sided carpet tape or a non-slip pad. Free, five minutes, genuinely prevents falls.
2. Light the path from bed to bathroom
The most dangerous trip your loved one makes is the one to the bathroom at 3 a.m. — half asleep, in the dark. Add a few inexpensive plug-in night lights (the kind that turn on automatically at dusk) all along that path: bedroom, hallway, bathroom door. Suddenly the riskiest walk in the house is lit the whole way.
3. Clear the walkways
Walk through the main paths of the home and clear them like you’re making a runway: phone and lamp cords tucked along the wall, stacks of magazines and boxes moved, shoes and clutter off the floor. Keep a clean, straight path from room to room. Ten minutes of tidying removes dozens of small stumbles.
Two bonus fixes worth the small cost: grab bars by the toilet and in the shower (the single best bathroom upgrade there is), and making sure your loved one wears sturdy, non-slip shoes indoors — not socks, not loose slippers.
Small changes, big protection. When our companions visit, keeping an eye on these everyday hazards is just part of what we do — a safe home is a quieter worry for everyone. Want a second set of eyes on the house? We’re glad to help.
General home-safety tips, not medical advice. For fall risk related to health or medications, please ask your loved one’s doctor.