Falls Can Be Prevented - How to Stay Safe in Your Own Home

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 20, 2014

Falling or tripping at any age can be dangerous - even deadly. But when an aging loved one is living in their own home, it's doubly important to evaluate and eliminate the many causes of falls, so notes Dr. Jill Bjerke, a nationally known expert on the issues faced by those aging in place.

Dr. Jill Bjerke's article on Preventing Falls is currently featured in the new, online magazine "Access to Independence." The free online publication is produced by United Disabilities Services for the disability community to provide information, education and helpful tips.

The online publication is available at https://estore.udservices.org/template/Flipbook/feb-2014/#p=10

In her article, Dr. Bjerke cites these sobering statistics related to falls:

- One in three adults age of 65 and older falls each year
- Of those who fall, 20% suffer moderate to severe injuries making it harder for them to live independently and increasing their risk of early death
- Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury among the elderly.

Falls are preventable, notes Bjerke, and gives tips in her article to help the elderly to create "trip zone free zones" in the home.

Among these tips are to have bright lighting in stairways, walkways and hallways; to install handrails in bathrooms and hallways; and where possible to build zero step thresholds.

In addition to Dr. Bjerke's article on Preventing Falls, the online magazine "Access to Independence" features "Push Girls" Reality TV Star Tiphany Adams, trending artist Jonathan Whitlock, home modification hot products for 2014, home modifications project checklist and favorite disability blogs.

United Disabilities Services has years of experience in helping the disabled, veterans and those aging in place to create individualized design solutions for home modifications. Products can be found at http://estore.udservices.org or the UDS Home Modifications team can be reached at 1-888-428-0240