Fall Prevention at Home: A Room-by-Room Audit for Johannesburg Seniors

Falls are the leading cause of serious injury in older adults, and most happen at home, in familiar surroundings. The good news: the majority are preventable with small, inexpensive changes. 

The entrance 

• Replace loose doormats with non-slip ones. 
• Install a handrail beside the front steps. 
• Add a motion-sensor outdoor light, many falls happen at night. 

The lounge 

• Tape down rug edges, or remove rugs entirely on tiled floors. 
• Keep walkways clear of side tables, magazine racks, and trailing cables. 
• Make sure their favourite armchair is firm and high enough to stand up from easily. 

The kitchen 

• Move everyday items (mugs, plates, kettle) to waist-height shelves. 
• Put a rubber mat in front of the sink. 
• Check the gas hob auto-shutoff, or consider switching to induction. 

The bathroom, the highest-risk room 

• Install grab rails beside the toilet and inside the shower. 
• Replace bath mats with proper non-slip surfaces. 
• Consider a shower chair and a handheld shower head. 
• Add a nightlight on the route from bedroom to bathroom. 

The bedroom 

• Keep a torch and phone within arm’s reach of the bed. 
• Make sure there’s a clear, unobstructed path to the door. 

Load shedding considerations 

A surprising number of Johannesburg falls happen during load shedding. Keep a charged torch in every room, and put reflective tape on the edge of any steps.