An Occupational Therapist’s Favorite Tools to Prevent Falls

A big part of my role as an occupational therapist working in the homes’ of my clients is preventing falls. Falls increase the risk of nursing home placement, are the leading cause of hip fractures, and also lead to traumatic brain injuries. Most of my clients want to age comfortably in their homes so it’s my job is to help them do that as safely as possible.

Sometimes a quick and inexpensive fix can have a huge impact on preventing falls in your home. Here are a few of my favorite “quick tips” to make your home safer. 

The items below include associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only include links for items I have used in my practice or have received positive reviews from clients. This is not medical advice, I am sharing my experiences from my practice and from those of my clients. 

Did you know research has demonstrated that throw rugs and carpets are one of the most common hazards in the homes of older adults, increasing the risk of serious fall-related injury (Rosen et al., 2013).

When possible I typically recommend folks remove as many throw rugs as possible. When that’s not possible I recommend you fasten the rug down with double sided rug tape or these very cool Rug Anchors from 3M (paid link). They hold your rug in place without damaging your flooring. These have come highly recommended by my clients. 

On this topic, I always want to remind folks they should have safe rugs with rubber backing the bathroom. If your rug in the bathroom slides, I recommend you replace it with a rug with rubber on the back to grip the floor. 

While we’re talking about the bathroom I want to share with you my favorite shower chair. I have heard so many people complain about how unsteady they feel when sitting on the typical shower chair. This chair from Drive Medical (paid link) has a much deeper seat than most shower chairs, allowing you to sit fully supported. It also has a back and handles on the side increasing the level of support provided while sitting. 

Sometimes it is challenging to install grab bars. Your shower may be made of materials that are challenging to work with, you may have a landlord that is less than helpful, or you might be waiting for helper to be available to help you install the bars. A Tub Grab Bar (paid link) can be a helpful tool. It clamps on the side of the tub and provides a handy grip when climbing over the side of the tub. 

If climbing over the side of the tub is too challenging, a Transfer Tub Bench (paid link) is a great solution. It sits over the side of the tub, allowing you to sit and slide over rather than climb over the side of the tub. If you choose to purchase a Transfer Tub Bench I highly recommend you work with an occupational therapist to learn how to use it safely.

It can be challenging to know which piece of equipment might be most helpful for you. An occupational therapist can provide a home safety evaluation and help you to decide what changes you would like to make to increase your safety at home. If you would like to know more about how an occupational therapist can help, contact us today!