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6 Tips for Fall Prevention in the Bedroom

Health conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s aren’t the only thing you have to worry about as you age. Falling in the home causes the most common injuries and deaths in American seniors every year. Fall prevention is an important part of staying healthy and independent. Falls are more likely to happen in rooms like the bathroom or bedroom where you spend a lot of time. Here are 6 tips to aid in fall prevention in the bedroom.

1. Get a bedside lamp. Place a lamp on either side of the bed so you have plenty of lighting when you get in and out of bed. Make sure the lamps are close enough to your bed so you don’t have to get out of bed to turn them on or off.
2. Avoid area rugs. An area rug can soften the look of a room and make it feel homier, but having one in your bedroom can greatly increase your risk of falling. Avoid using rugs in your bedroom, especially in your main walkways. If you decide to use a rug, choose a non-slip option so the rug stays in place.
3. Declutter. If you have excessive clutter or furniture in your bedroom, it could put you at a greater fall risk. Declutter by removing unnecessary things from the floor and moving any unnecessary furniture to a different room to allow you to move freely and aid in fall prevention.
4. Use motion sensor lights. If you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, you don’t want to go out of your way to turn on the light. Using motion sensor lights can light up your pathway and aid in fall prevention. Use motion sensor lights in areas like your bathroom and hallways so you can go from room to room easily.
5. Install bed rails. Getting in and out of bed can become harder as you age. Adding railing to your bed is an excellent way to restore your balance and aid in fall prevention as you get in and out of bed.
6. Get a medical alert system. Even if you take all of the necessary precautions to prevent a fall, they can still happen. If you fall, you don’t want to spend hours waiting for someone to find you and help you, especially if you live alone. Getting a medical alert system can put you in contact with emergency responders at the push of a button and ensure the help you need is never far away.

Kayla Pearce

Kayla Pearce is a Content Developer at Med-Alert Pros in Memphis, TN. She has backgrounds in professional and creative writing and over a decade of experience in research and editing. She is deeply interested in literature, poetry, cats, and dessert.