Retirement News, Healthy Living

Slip-and-Fall proofing Your Home: 6 Strategies to Cut Your Risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, slips and falls are the number one cause of injuries for older individuals. The resulting injuries can vary in severity — from cuts and fractures to serious brain trauma and even death. Aside from physical injury, they can also cause fear and anxiety, compromising your sense of safety and security, especially if a fall occurs in your own home. 

The good news is there are many preventive measures you can take within your house and on your property to help protect yourself and your loved ones. 

1. Remove the clutter. Shoes at the bottom of the stairs? Piles of magazines next to the couch? The most basic step for safeguarding your home from falls starts with keeping it neat and free of clutter.
2. Adjust the lighting. Ensure that every room has adequate, accessible lighting. This is especially important for staircases, in the bedroom for when you wake up in the middle of the night and outside your home near your front door and walkway.
3. Upgrade bathroom safety. Did you know that January is National Bath Safety Month? Consider making simple modifications, like installing a shower chair for stability and comfort, or swapping out a fixed shower head for an adjustable one. Wall-mounted grab bars inside and out of the shower and tub are another smart safety addition.
4. Remove tripping hazards. Examine every room and hallway for loose floorboards and slippery rugs. Secure loose rugs with a slip-resistant backing, or choose non-slip options instead.  
5. Secure your pets. Cats and dogs can be great companions, but they can also be safety hazards when they’re stretched out on the floor. While you can’t control their whereabouts all day, it’s important to be watchful, and designate an area for their supplies, toys and bed. You may want to secure them in a room during the night, so you don’t trip on them upon waking.
6. Consider single-level living. Even with sturdy guardrails or bannisters, stairs elevate your fall risk. If possible, move your bedroom to the first floor. A reverse mortgage from Reverse Mortgage Funding (RMF) can provide the funds to make home renovations like these easier. 

Because increasing home safety can carry a sizeable price tag

A reverse mortgage is a safety net for your health and well-being. Specifically designed for homeowners age 55 or older*, it allows borrowers to leverage the equity built up in their home as a lump-sum payment, a monthly payment or a line of credit^†that’s available if and when you need it —to use at your own discretion. 

To learn more, reach out to RMF today at (888) 277-1567 and schedule an in-person appointment with a local loan specialist at your convenience.

This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating; a 4.7-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call 888-277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.

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*Available to borrowers as young as 55 in select states only. Higher minimum age requirements may apply. Visit www.reversefunding.com/equity-elite for details.

 ^†Borrowers who elect a fixed rate loan will receive a single disbursement lump sum payment. Other payment options are available only for adjustable rate mortgages.

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