Senior Safety - Quick Fixes for Yard, Entryway and Living Room Hazards

Dear Readers,

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths for people 65 years of age and older, per The National Safety Council? Do you worry that your parents have physical or judgment deficits which impact their safety? Do they open the front door for anyone who rings the doorbell? In this article, I will show you how to identify and reduce safety hazards in the living room, yard and entryways of an elderly persons home.

1) Yard and Entryways into home:

-Are walkways level and clear of debris and plant overgrowth?
-Is there enough light to see obstacles? A simple motion sensor light makes it easier to insert the key into the lock.
-You may want to install a railing on both sides if there are stairs up to the door.
-Post a No Soliciting sign outside the front door to minimize trips to the door and to lessen the risk of intruders.
-External doors and windows: Be sure that all windows can lock when fully closed and when partially opened. Have deadbolt locks on all external doors and install wide-angle peep-holes. This is a good opportunity for the "avoid opening the door to strangers", "always lock the doors", and "don't give strangers any personal information on the phone" discussions with your elderly loved ones.


2) Living Room Safety:

-Clutter: This may sound like a no-brainer, but it is often overlooked. Clear away unwanted items, especially from all pathways in the home. Besides reducing tripping hazards, this will help lessen fire risks.
-Floors and floor coverings: Don't use cleaning products and floor waxes that leave the surface slippery. Check for loose carpet and tighten it to avoid tripping. Loose rugs should be attached to the floor with double-sided tape. Be sure to move electrical and phone cords out of all pathways. If a walker or cane is used, it is important to remove all throw rugs.
-Lighting: Check all light bulbs to be sure they are working. Light switches need to be within easy reach. There should not be any areas inside the home that can not be illuminated. Use night lights in all pathways, especially from bedroom. Light timers work well for an elderly person who keeps a fairly regular schedule; program to automatically turn off an hour after bedtime, so that they leave the room while still lighted.
-Furniture: All furniture should be sturdy and in good repair. Elderly people tend to grab on to furniture as they walk by; not recommended, but frequently done, so the sturdier the better. Chairs with arms and higher seats are easier and safer to access.
-Emergency plan. Be sure there is a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher on each level of the home. Attach an easy-to-read list of emergency phone numbers near every phone and review emergency procedures with your elderly family members. Since many seniors spend lots of time in the living room, installing a phone in this room is a great idea. You may want to consider a mobile safety alarm which is worn on the wrist or as a pendant, to automatically summon help with the push of a button.

If you still are not sure whether your senior loved ones are safe at home, you may want to obtain a safety evaluation performed by a Physical or Occupational Therapist specializing in geriatric care. They are experts in determining safety and judgment while performing activities of daily living and also can recommend appropriate assistive devices and environmental modifications.

To Senior Safety and Independence!,
Ronna

Senior Safety - Is Your Cane the Right Height and on the Proper Side?


Dear Readers,

So often I see someone using a cane that probably belonged to someone else and was never re-fitted, which can create a dangerous fall hazard. To make matters even worse, they fight the body's natural reciprocal tendency and use it on the wrong side. Yikes, an accident waiting to happen!

How tall should your cane be? Generally, about one-half your height. More specifically, when the rubber tip is on the floor, the top of the cane should reach the upper inside crease of your wrist when your arms are relaxed at your sides and you are wearing your usual shoes. From this position, when you grasp a properly adjusted cane, your elbow should be bent approximately 25 to 30 degrees. Many canes are adjustable with a simple push-button mechanism. You may want to first use this type to get the right height and then as a guide for any cane which needs to be cut.

If my left leg is weak do I use my cane on the left side or the right side? With movements involving upper and lower extremities, the body's natural patterns are reciprocal. Runners and marchers naturally advance the right hand and left foot simultaneously and vice-versa. If you hold your cane on the same side as your weak or injured leg, you are fighting the body's normal coordination patterns and could more easily become unbalanced and stumble. The safest method to use a cane is to advance it along with the opposite foot in a smooth pattern.

To Senior Safety and Independence!
Ronna

Senior Safety- Bathroom Hazards and Quick Fixes

Dear Readers,

Are your parents safe living at home? Are they mentally pretty clear, but beginning to have physical or judgment deficits which might impact their safety? Do you worry that Mom may fall down and not be able to get to the phone? What would happen if Mom or Dad slipped and fell in the bathroom? Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in people 65 years of age and older, according to The National Safety Council.
This article will show you how to identify and reduce safety hazards in an older persons bathroom.

· Water temperature: Set the hot water heater to no more than 120 F to lessen the risk of burns.
· Toilet: If your loved ones have difficulty standing up from a low toilet, obtain an elevated seat. There are many types available; I recommend those with attached armrests, if space allows, that fit directly over the existing seat. They are easy to install and do not seem to get in the way when others use the seat. If the toilet height is okay as is, there are easy to attach stand-alone armrests.
· Grab bars: It is not safe to pull on a towel bar or push on a toilet paper holder for support, as many older adults do. Instead, properly install grab bars on both sides of the shower/tub area and also within reach of the toilet.
· Lessen the risk of slipping or falling. Use a non-slip bath mat or non-skid tape on the tub/shower floor and use a shower or bath chair specifically designed for bathing. Do not try to use another type of chair in the tub or shower, as this could actually cause increased risk of injury. There are also transfer chairs available that have 2 legs on the outside and 2 legs inside the tub so your loved one can easily slide over and use the shower.
· Water spills are especially dangerous in the bathroom because fixtures and floor surfaces are typically very hard. Be sure that shower curtains fit properly and there are no plumbing leaks.
· Lighting: Light switches should be easy to reach and in good repair. Check that light is adequate, use a night light for the path from bed to bathroom and be sure pathway is clear of obstacles.
· Consider installing a phone line in the bathroom. This could prevent carelessness while hurrying to catch the phone in the next room.

Most elderly people cherish their independence and will do just about anything to keep it. Sometimes a simple device or two, especially in the bathroom, is all that is needed to keep them safe.

To Senior Safety and Independence!
Ronna

Senior Safety - How to Safely Climb Stairs When One Leg is injured or Weak

Climbing stairs can be a challenge if you have had an injury or one leg is weaker. Here are a few safety pointers. I am assuming that you are able to bear full weight on both legs.

General stair safety; good ideas for all stairways:
Clearly mark the top and bottom step with contrasting paint or tape.
Have a stable railing installed on both sides if possible.
Keep pathways and steps clear of obstacles.
Have adequate lighting so that each step can be clearly seen.

Ascending:
Hold on to the railing and step up with the strongest leg first, and then bring the weaker leg up to the same step. An easy way to remember the sequence is up symbolizes good as in thumbs up or heaven; good legs go up first. If you use a cane, it should be held in the hand opposite the weaker leg and should be advanced simultaneously with the weaker leg. The railing should be used with the other hand to add stability. If there is only one railing, use it even if it is on the side that you would normally use your cane because it is more stable than a cane. If this technique is too difficult for you, try standing sideways facing the railing so that the stronger leg is on the up side. Hold on to the railing with both hands and slowly climb the stairs sideways, one step at a time.

Descending:
Hold on to the railing and step down first with the weaker leg, and then bring the stronger leg down to the same step. Again, an easy way to remember the process is up with the good leg and down with the bad. This way, the stronger leg is doing the work of supporting the body weight as you descend. As above, when using a cane, it should be held in the hand opposite the weaker leg and advanced simultaneously with the weaker leg. If this technique is too difficult, try the sideways descent, holding on to the railing with both hands, with the weaker leg on the down side.

If the weakness or injury is a short-lived problem, the above instructions may be enough to keep you safe on the stairs. If stair climbing continues to be a serious safety issue for you or your senior loved ones, and it is necessary to use stairs to stay in your home or you need to climb outdoor stairs to access your home, another option is to install a stair lift. This device will automatically lift you up or down the stairs while you sit in a chair. A stair lift may actually be a less expensive option than modifying the downstairs or renting or buying a hospital bed for a downstairs living area.I have researched the marketplace for a quality product and found a reputable company selling Acorn stair lifts at huge discounts with free shipping. They also have a stair lift for outdoor stairs and a modified model for narrow stairways or for someone who cannot flex their legs enough to sit down on the standard model.

In any event, safety is the primary concern; I hope these stair climbing instructions will help you stay safe and independent in your home.

To Senior Safety and Independence!

Ronna
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Dear Readers,

Senior Safety Checklist now available!!

Hot off the press! If you are concerned about senior safety at home, and you want to protect your loved ones and put your mind at ease, then this guide is a must. To receive your free copy of my " Checklist for Senior Safety at Home" just sign up for the free newsletter at

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To Senior Safety and Independence!
Ronna

Dear Ronna,

My mom has been having trouble getting in and out of her favorite chair in the living room. I am very concerned that she will fall or hurt herself while she is attempting to stand. Is there anything we can do to help her?
Thanks,
Mary W.

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Dear Mary,

That is a great question and, yes, there are several things you can do to help your mom.
Many older people lose the strength necessary to easily stand up and sit down, even though it used to be easy. When someone is having difficulty standing and sitting, it could mean leg weakness and/or postural instability, which puts them at increased risk for falls while they are walking, so you are smart to take notice. If her chair is low, try placing a firm cushion on the seat to raise the height. Also try to use chairs that have arms. You may want to consider a new favorite chair. Also it may sound silly, but there is a right way to stand and sit from a chair. Try it yourself, for instance, without having your feet backed up to the chair; it is nearly impossible. Hopefully, this will help:

Use good body mechanics to stand up from a chair.
1. Scoot the buttocks forward toward the edge of the seat.
2. Bring feet back as close as possible to the chair.
3. Lean head and shoulders forward (Nose over toes).
4. Push hands down on the arms of the chair to stand (rather than pulling on a walker or another person).

To sit from standing:
1. Back knees up against the seat
2. Reach back for the arms of the chair prior to sitting.
3. Lean head forward as buttocks are lowered to seat.

If she continues to have trouble, you may want to seek out physical therapy for a strengthening program and a safety evaluation.

To Senior Safety and Independence!
Ronna

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