Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
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Does the lamp on your night table appropriately light the room? Perhaps you are one of the many people who do not turn on the lights when they get up during the night?
Lighting is an important aspect not to be overlooked. When you get up at night, your balance is poorer than usual and you attention capacities are diminished. Appropriate lighting does not dazzle you but lights your path enough not to run the risk of bumping your foot against the furniture, knocking objects or tripping over a piece of clothing which has fallen on the floor.
>> Install two-way switches
>> Always turn on the lights when you get up
>> Chose switches (on the walls and for your night lamp) which are easy to use
Also read 'Moving about at home'
You can install the following equipment in your bedroom:
To make moving about and transfers safer and to facilitate movements in bed:
- Footboards: do-it-yourself stores offer a great variety of footboards (height, shape, colours).
- Wedges: wedges can be made of plastic or wood, and are placed under the footboards to make the bed higher.
- A handrail to straighten yourself up: this system is a half-barrier to be fastened on one or both sides of the bed; it makes sitting up easier by holding onto it and pulling yourself up.
- An adjustable table: it is a table whose height can be adjusted, with or without wheels. It makes it possible to put within hand reach everything a person may need in bed. It is very practical to put a urinal, for instance.
- A urinal or a toilet chair: it is sometimes better to use a urinal or toilet chair than to have to walk to the toilet at night, especially if it is difficult to access or on the landing or else if you are in a weak state of health.
- A medicalised bed: as it constitutes medical equipment, your doctor needs to prescribe it. It has a variable height and can therefore have its height adjusted when getting up or lying down. However, some models remain too high for small people; it is sometimes possible to remove the wheels to make it lower.
