Vision affects home safety

A study from the University of Michigan found that older adults with severe vision loss are three to four times more likely to fall when their home also has hazards, missing grab bars, tripping risks, or uneven flooring. Crucially, it's the combination that's dangerous: poor vision alone or home hazards alone carry less risk than both together. Nearly half of older adults lack grab bars in the bathroom. Falls cost the United States an estimated $80 billion in medical expenses every year. The two simplest interventions: get your vision checked regularly, and inspect your home looking for things you've stopped seeing.