THIS IS FALL PREVENTION WEEK AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING HAS SOME TIPS TO HELP KEEP SENIORS SAFE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO TRIPPING HAZARDS AT HOME LIKE THROW RUGS, LOOSE CARPET, WIRES OR CORDS. ADDITIONALLY, STATE DEPARTMENT ON AGING DIRECTOR PAULA BASTA SAYS THERE ARE MODIFICATIONS YOU CAN MAKE IN THE BATHROOM.

FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF BOTH FATAL AND NON-FATAL INJURIES FOR PEOPLE AGED 65 AND OLDER, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO MINIMIZE HAZARDS IN THE HOME SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT ON AGING DIRECTOR PAULA BASTA.

BASTA SAYS LIGHTING IS ALSO CRITICAL AND URGES SENIORS TO HAVE A LAMP OR LIGHT SWITCH WITHIN EASY REACH OF THEIR BED AND USE NIGHTLIGHTS IN THE BATHROOM AND HALLWAYS.

OTHER BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE ADDING A NON-SLIP RUBBER MAT TO YOU SHOWER OR BATHTUB, A SHOWER SEAT AND A HANDHELD SHOWER HEAD WITH AN ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT.