As the weather cools in the fall and with winter right around the corner it’s a great time to think about a different kind of fall – falls at home.

Every 13 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a falls-related injury. One out of five falls also causes a serious injury such as broken bones or head injury and falls can lead to depression, loss of mobility and loss of functional independence.

For millions of aging adults living at home, the possibility of a debilitating accident or fall at home is never a welcome proposition. Yet, falls are the leading cause of injury to adults over 65. Luckily, there are many simple ways to make your home safer for you or an aging loved one.

Hear from Leah Fuchs, MD, and our extended team at Intermountain Health about the importance of preventing falls.

Here is a home improvement checklist for aging adults:

Grab bars

Install grab bars anywhere there’s a potential to slip and fall. Namely, in your bathroom by the toilet and the bathtub.

Non-slip mats

A simple non-slip mat or sticker on your shower floor and other wet surfaces makes a big difference.

Transfer bench

Utilize a transfer bench to get in and out of the tub from a seated position.

Shower chair 

A shower chair lets you stay seated as you shower, reducing your slip-and-fall risk.

Raised toilet seat

A taller toilet or toilet seat add-on can make it more comfortable to get up and sit down. 

Elevated storage

Store your most commonly used items at eye-level and easy-to-reach shelves, rather than up high or low.

Make it bright

Higher wattage light bulbs make for brighter rooms that are easier to navigate.

Night lights

Low-cost night lights can be added all over the house, including stairways and slick surfaces.

Smart home technology

Choose from various smart home gadgets that can help with daily reminders, activity tracking, emergency alerts, and other everyday personal assistance.