Suggestions Needed: Home Assessment for Fall Protection

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Does anyone have any recommendations for companies that do home assessments for fall protection in the central or southern Maryland areas? I can take recommendations for Alexandria as well.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sorry Op, no recommendations. But if you don't mind me stating the obvious: no throw rugs, no bothersome thresholds, railings & grab bars wherever possible, good lighting .. motion detecting lighting for nighttime. Smooth, gradual inclines, ideally, rather than stairs.

But honestly most falls are due to the body aging, normal aging, weaker muscles, a muscle gives out, dizziness.. either from no known cause or commonly from medication, worse eyesight, inability to lift legs as high when walking, catching the toe of a shoe and falling.

[Anonymous]

I'm not local to you OP, but in my experience-often physical therapy places offer this. Maybe call around and ask.

[Anonymous]

Sorry Op, no recommendations. But if you don't mind me stating the obvious: no throw rugs, no bothersome thresholds, railings & grab bars wherever possible, good lighting .. motion detecting lighting for nighttime. Smooth, gradual inclines, ideally, rather than stairs.

But honestly most falls are due to the body aging, normal aging, weaker muscles, a muscle gives out, dizziness.. either from no known cause or commonly from medication, worse eyesight, inability to lift legs as high when walking, catching the toe of a shoe and falling.

Yes to all this. We installed grab bars, moved impediments out of the way, got motion detector lighting indoors in the bathroom, etc. I also encouraged the use of a cane and eventually walker. Unfortunately, she fell badly anyway, no one reallly knows why (she didn't trip), probably because her dementia got bad, she left her walker in another room (forgetting she needs to use it) and her balance had deteriorated. So you can certainly renovate showers and put in safety bars, lighting, etc, but at a certain point you can't control everything.

[Anonymous]

You can get an OT to do a home safety assessment.

[Anonymous]

There are dozens on checklists online. You don’t really need to pay for this.

[Anonymous]

My parents had the inspection and even did renovations to make everything fall proof. They still fell and ended up in the hospital.

Also, when we had to sell the home, 2 agents wanted us to undo some of the changes because they didn't think it would sell as is. They were willing to sell with the outdated kitchen, etc but people don't want reminders of aging during a home tour. It's one thing to think about re-doing a kitchen, but it's another to chat about removing bars, getting rid of the chairlift, etc. They did not live in a neighborhood desirable for aging-not walkable to shops, no public transit closeby.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for your feedback!

[Anonymous]

I know there is wearable tech that can alert you to a suspected fall. I would suggest this if the person is living alone/independently.

[Anonymous]

Referral for home health occupational therapy would be best. You could get from your primary physician however the person would have to be considered “home bound” so limited mobility, etc