The number of elderly receiving home health care in 1988 was more than double that in 1977, according to the National Association for Home Care. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring that the new home medical devices used for these treatments are safe and effective. The development of specialized gadgets, such as grab bars and stove mirrors, have also made the home environment safer and more accommodating for older people. Often, simple devices such as loop handles instead of doorknobs on cabinets can spell the difference between dependent and independent living for an older person. A number of changes may also be necessary to improve the safety of the home.
Falls are the most common cause of fatal injury for older people.
In 1982 alone, more that 2,500 people 65 and older were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries that resulted from tripping over rugs. Double-faced adhesive carpet tape or rubber matting applied to the backs of rugs can help prevent these accidents. Changes in floor levels should also be clearly marked with white or reflecting tape, and stairways should be well-lit. Wet, soapy tile or porcelain surfaces are slippery, making the bathroom a hazardous area for the older adult. Textured strips applied to bathroom floors and to the bottoms of tubs and showers can help prevent falls.