Sa f e t y i n t he Home
FAL L PREVENT ION
The Pinecone
|
January 2014 • 5 •
As we think about the New Year, we want to remind ourselves about safety
in the home. The days are shorter and the weather is colder, so we are spend-
ing less time outdoors and more time inside our homes. This is a great time
to think about how to make our homes safer for us, our families, and our
friends.
The number one concern for safety in the home is falls. Falls are the leading
cause of injury and disability in older adults. The good news is that many
falls are preventable with a few simple steps.
1. Maintain as much strength and coordination
as possible
2. Take your medications as prescribed by
your physician
3. Eat properly
4. Exercise regularly
5. Look around your home
for hazards that could
lead to a fall
General considerations for home safety:
• Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes with non-skid soles
• Be sure that stairwells are well lit
(consider nightlights in hallways and bathrooms)
• Do not walk around in socks, slippers or stocking on bare floors.
• Install grab bars in and around the tub and toilet
• Keeps rooms and hallways clear of clutter
• Use a tub seat or shower chair in the shower
• If you are unsteady outdoors, use a cane or other assistive device
• Install hand held shower for greater comfort and safety while
bathing/showering
• Arrange furniture to give yourself enough room to move
around and between pieces
• If bending over throws off your balance, use a reacher
to retrieve items off floor
• Ensure safety alarm bracelets work
• Check smoke detectors in the home
If you or anyone you know are experiencing difficulty in your home, therapy can help. Medicare covers therapy ser-
vices for home safety assessments to determine which areas of the home pose the greatest risk for falls and together
with your therapist we can work to remedy these areas of concern.
A home safety checklist will be handed out following the Smart Moves Presentation on January 21st, 2014 at 9:45
in the Performing Arts Center.
For additional information, please call Jason Sparrow OTD, OTR/L at 366-1819.
