Chairs should have high seats with firm cushions and arms to grip. Seton Home Care occupational therapist Guillermo Lopez, O.T.R., has worked with older adults who are returning home after treatment in the hospital and has done home safety evaluations. We see a lot of hip fractures there and forearm breaks as people try to keep themselves from falling. Never trust a towel rod to steady you says Lopez. They just aren't meant to support a person's weight.
Grab bars can also help in long hallways and other spots where handholds are scarce.
Lopez teaches his patients to conserve their strength and protect their joints by modifying the way they do common household tasks. A small kitchen cart can help you transfer platters and other heavy dishes safely to the dining table. All our lives we are taught to organize our homes for social purposes. In addition to home modifications, says Dr. Russell, a few body modifications can also help. Even in your 80s, exercise can significantly improve your stamina and agility.