 | Tari Emery is the Home Health Manager for Girard Medical Center in Girard, KS. Tari first started her career in 1980. In her 30 years of nursing, Tari has worked at a variety of different nursing fields, with six of those years in Home Health. Tari can be reached at Girard Medical Center at 620-724-8469. |
Health & Wellness
2011-03-01 10:08:00
Tips to keeping loved ones safe in their own home
Question: My grandma is having a harder time with stability as she ages. She has had a couple of fairly serious falls lately and I’m really beginning to worry about her. I want my grandma to continue living independently, but is there anything I can do to ensure her safety at home?
Answer: Many accidents and injuries that happen to people occur from falls in their own homes. Many of these falls result in serious injuries including sprained or fractures ankles, head or brain injuries and most commonly, hip fractures. A simple fall that results in a broken bone can become a serious disabling injury that limits ones independence. Statistics show that those who have fallen once are much more likely to have subsequent falls.
Most falls happen from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. There are some things that you can do to help ensure that your grandmother is in a safer environment. By spotting hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented.
Here are some tips to help keep your elderly loved ones safe in their own home:
•Scan the home for common hazards and safely put away anything that looks like a fall hazard.
•Make sure halls walkways are clear of cords, cables, and clutter.
•Avoid the use of area rugs and mats, but if they are used make sure they are backed with non-skid material.
•Increase lighting throughout the house. A good idea is to install night lights in hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms.
•Install railings on all stairways and make sure they are well lit with light switches at both the top and bottom of the staircase.
•Have your loved one avoid slippery socks or shoes.
•Have your loved one wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes with non-skid soles that give good support.
•Make sure steps are in good condition and have non-skid strips, or if carpeted, make sure it is fastened securely to the steps.
•To prevent slipping, place non-skid mats in the shower/tub and, also place non-skid mat on the floor beside the shower/tub for stepping on when wet.
•Provide solid support by placing grab bars, installed by a professional, in shower/tub area, to allow the bather to enter and exit the bathing area.
•Place a bath chair, transfer bench, or bath stool in the shower/tub.
•No matter what we do, we can’t prevent every fall, but by taking these steps, we can create a safer, more secure environment for the ones we love.
For additional help and recommendations, consult a physical or occupational therapist or use an appropriate community resource in order to make adjustments that will maximize safety.
