Safety is certainly an issue for stroke survivors, as it is for everybody!

While stroke can hit people of all ages, 2/3rds of stroke survivors are over the age of 65, which suggested that this Guide would be quite important for our community.

The folks at NCOA – National Council on Aging – have put together a comprehensive guide on safety which we at Stroke Recovery Foundation have broken up for ease of reading. Subsequently, we will be presenting additional information from the Guide.

We thank NCOA for this important information.

Key Takeaways

• NCOA  works to compile resources for older adults’ safety to ensure everyone has the support necessary to maintain their independence.
• 74% of adults over the age of 50 live in single-family homes.
• When assessing your home’s safety, consider going room-by-room with our comprehensive checklist to ensure you find all potential hazards.
• Some of the biggest home safety concerns older adults face include fires, falls, and medication use
• Mattresses and bedding are some of the primary causes of home fires and deaths, whereas falls happen due to clutter, obstacles like stairs, and even medication interactions
• Many safety modifications for your home are affordable and easy to do yourself.

As we age, our homes should continue to be a place where we feel safe, secure, and comfortable. But research shows the exact opposite is sometimes true. A 2014 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found 28.7% of adults over the age of 65 reported falling at least once in the last 12 months.¹ Another study by the Hospital for Special Surgery found 60% of falls happen in the home.² To help prevent falls and other accidents, you can make safety modifications to your environment and eliminate common hazards.

Our Reviews Team assembled this guide and checklist highlighting home safety tips and helpful devices to ensure your home, or your loved one’s home, continues to be a safe environment for aging in place.

Jul 10, 2024

Fact Checked

Written by: Miranda M. Riva, Esq

Medical Reviewer: Christopher Norman, MSN, APRN, APHN-BC, GNP-BC

Reviewed by: Kathleen Cameron BSPharm, MPH, Senior Director, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging

We would be interested in any questions or comments, and suggest that you email us at Bobm@StrokeRF.org.