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Did you know that the second leading cause of injury or death among the elderly, after road accidents, is falls? We believe many of you are unaware of this, as statistics from the Department of Health show a continuously increasing rate of deaths among the elderly, averaging as many as 800 deaths per year in recent years. Therefore, we should all work together to increase preventative measures and reduce this tragic incident as much as possible. This can be achieved by adding assistive devices to homes, such as handrails, non-slip flooring, or anti-slip mats in high-risk areas.
Falls in the elderly can be dangerous and vary in severity, but the most common and serious injuries include fractures, breaks, and concussions. These injuries can cause significant pain, disability, or even death. The reasons for these falls in the elderly include declining physical condition, weakened muscles, impaired sensory perception, poor vision, and poor balance due to various illnesses such as osteoarthritis or weakened vestibular systems.
The way to prevent this is to create a living environment that is suitable for the daily lives of elderly people.
- Choose floor tiles with a rough texture.
- Use non-slip mats on walkways or in areas to absorb water from wet feet.
- Add grab bars to the bathroom walls, and importantly, the bathroom for the elderly should not be far from the bedroom for ease of use and to avoid muscle fatigue when entering the bathroom.
- Minimize uneven surfaces within the home. Floors should be level because elderly people often have poor eyesight, and tripping over uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents. If uneven surfaces are present, laying down non-slip mats will help make them more noticeable.
Non-slip mats are another readily available and inexpensive item that can effectively help reduce tragic incidents. Adding these small items and arranging them appropriately in homes, buildings, shopping malls, and other public places can significantly improve safety, reduce accidents, and minimize losses.
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