Aging in Place 3rd edition

HOUSING

Safety, Comfort and Accessibility: General Accessibility & Fall Prevention Is there a bedroom, full bath, and kitchen on the main living floor? Yes ____ No ____ Is carpeting on interior steps worn, torn or loose? Yes ___ No ___ N/A (no steps) ____

Did You Know?

Among people 65 years and older, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions. Each year in the United States, nearly one-third of older adults experience a fall. 55 percent of fall injuries among older people occur inside the home and an additional 23 percent happen outside, but nearby. Many of these falls can be prevented by taking steps to eliminate or fix potential hazards in and around the home.

A serious fall injury after age 65 can often precipitate a rapid decline in overall health and reduce a person’s ability to live independently.

Are your interior door thresholds flat? ( consider installing beveled, no step, and no-trip thresholds between rooms. A contrasting color will make transitions more visible for added safety.) Yes ____ No ____ Not Sure ____ Are interior steps in good repair? ( c onsider refinishing or replacing worn stair treads; consider non-slip adhesive strips to reduce slip hazard on uncarpeted stair treads.) Yes _____ No ____ Not Sure ____ N/A (no steps) ___ Can light switches, electrical outlets, and thermostats be easily reached even when seated? (light switches and thermostat at 48”, outlets at 24” above the floor.) Yes ____ No ____ Not Sure ____ Are light switches easy to use? (consider rocker switches and/or motion detectors) Yes ____ No ____ Not Sure ____ Can the windows be opened with minimum effort and from a seated (wheelchair) position if necessary? Yes ____ No ____ Not Sure ____

Aging in Place: Your Home, Your Community, Your Choice

Housing

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