SAFE AT HOME : SIMPLE TIPS FOR GENERAL HOME SAFETY cont.
ROUTINE
What is your loved one's routine? This is always an important discussion with family.
- Do they stay upstairs all day?
- Do they sleep on the first floor in a recliner?
- Do they struggle with getting dressed and bathed? What do meals look like?
- How often are they left alone?
Establishing a safe and consistent routine is key for improving safety and making sure your loved one has the help and support he/she needs.
GENERAL HOME SAFETY
Lastly, this article will touch upon a few basic things to observe when entering a home for the first time. Future articles will elaborate on many of these topics, but these are important things to evealuate in order to ensure a safe environment.
- Cords: Are there any exposed cords that could pose a fall risk? Tape them down or move them out of sight.
- Lighting: Does your loved one have proper lighting, especially in the bathroom, if they get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom
- Footwear: Wearing non-slip, sup
portive footwear can play a big role in reducing falls; wearing slippers and slip ons can often increase fall risk.
- Phone Numbers: Does your loved one have all of the important phone numbers? Emergency contacts should be written in large, clear print and placed in an easily accessible area.
- Rugs: One of the MOST common safety hazards are throw rugs and bathmats. If the rugs in the home are not adequately held down, then they can pose a serious fall risk.
- Vision: Visual impairment can create a fall risk with the elderly population. It is important to visit this topic in regard to medication management, lighting, and creating a clear pathway for movement in the home. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hillary Sussman has been a physical therapist for 24 years, working closely with her clients and their families as they navigated life with physical and cognitive challenges. She is the author of the Adventures of Roxy Book Series. Her physical therapy background has primarily been in the home care setting; working with the geriatric population. She works part time in an assisted living facility, where she enjoys working with her clients, their families, and staff, to improve her clients' mobility and quality of life. When her dog Roxy underwent her fourth surgery and faced losing a leg, she was inspired to write a book series about a three-legged dog to help kids who are different, live life with confidence, and not allow any limitations to hold them back. She hopes that the Adventures of Roxy book series can help all kids learn important life lessons about inclusion, kindness, empathy, acceptance, and the impact that words have on others. Hillary is a mother of three and lives in Pennsylvania. Learn more at adventuresofroxy.com
