Things to Know

Osteoporosis : Home Precautions 1

Osteoporosis : Home Precautions

 

Falls are one of the main causes of fractures, patients with osteoporosis should avoid falls as much as possible. Most fall accidents occur at home or institutions. Therefore, attention should be paid to the safety of the home environment to reduce the risk of falls for the elderly.

 

Sufficient Space

Passages should be kept clear. Unnecessary furniture and clutter on the floor should be removed to make space for the elderly to use assistive devices such as crutches and wheelchairs. Keep electrical cords tucked away to prevent the elderly from tripping and making it difficult to move around.

 

Floor Surface

Keep the floor dry, avoid using slippery waxed floors or hard floor tiles, reflective materials should be avoided as well. Consider replacing the floor finish to PVC flooring which is softer. Floor cloth or small pieces of carpet are easy to trip over, thus should not be laid on the floor. Anti-slip mats should be placed in locations where the elderly frequently go, such as at the bedside and in the bathroom.