"Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" These words have become famous through a Life Alert commercial and trademarked by them as a result of a woman laying on the floor in pain, No one wants to be that sobering statistic of falling at home, laying there for hours, and not being discovered by family or friends. The cost of the fall can go beyond the dollars and cents of going to the emergency room or a long term stay in the hospital. It can rob you or your family of that internal security of knowing you are safe as you continue living in your home alone.
Luckily, there are simple things you can do now to prepare to age safely at home. Pick up any throw rugs you have laying on your floors and put them away. These are notorious trip hazards.
Make sure you have plenty of light especially at night in dark hallways. There are great night lights that are LEDs offering enough brightness to help you see better as you make your way down a dark hallway. A medical alert device is a great tool to bring peace of mind.
Have a home assessment performed by a certified aging in place specialist (CAPs) to create a plan so that you can live safely and successfully at home for a longer period of time. The home assessment will give you a roadmap of things you can do now and things you can prioritize for the future in your budget that will make living at home easier and safer. This can be one of the smartest investments you make in you.
If you are one of the many maturing adults who wish to remain living at home for a longer period of time, don't wait until you fall, make an appointment now for a home assessment.