This week, we are talking all things safety! As you can imagine, this is our biggest concern for our clients and their families. We wanted to break down a few things that can help you and your loved ones feel safer in their home and hopefully prevent any accidents along the way.
Whenever we visit with prospective clients, one of the very first things we do at our home visits is a home safety walk-through. Don’t think of this as a “test” or an “inspection,”—really, all it is is a second set of eyes to catch safety hazards. Many people worry that having someone look through their home will bring judgement, but this is never the case. We have seen many different homes and situations, so often we see hazards that you might’ve run eyes over several times, but have never stopped to think about.
Let’s dive into our safety checklist that we like to use while talking with families.
Phones
First and foremost—is there a working phone in the home? We are always focused on mitigating the level of difficulty of rapidly evolving technology. If there is ever a fall or emergency, you want a phone that is easy to access and dial a phone number on in order to reach help as quickly as possible.
In addition to the phone itself, we recommend everyone have a list of emergency contacts in plain view next to the phones. Consider listing neighbors for small issues or emergencies, family members or emergency contacts for larger concerns and emergencies, and doctors and other health professionals who can be reached for non-emergency medical questions. This list can not only help caregivers, but if your loved one struggles with cognitive decline, this is a great tool for them to reference as well.
Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, and Fire Hazards
Smoke detectors are the first line of defense in a fire emergency. These important tools should be inspected regularly to ensure they are ready to use if needed. An easy way to remember to check your smoke detectors is to check them on time change/daylight savings days twice per year. This is also a great time to check your fire extinguishers. Some models need to be serviced or may expire, so making a regular habit of checking them along with your smoke detectors will ensure these valuable tools are in working order.
When it comes to fire hazards, the biggest culprits are usually stoves being left on unattended. In most cases, keeping a watchful eye on the burners is all it takes, but we’ve seen cases where families will disconnect the stove to prevent any accidents from happening.
Another unsuspecting fire hazard is a space heater. These can create a dangerous situation if not used according to the safety manual. Always keep them away from furniture, curtains and drapes, blankets, and small children. Always be sure the power outlets are in good working order. Loose plugs can be a dangerous fire hazard. Have a professional fix or replace any suspect plugs to be sure the job is done properly.
Walkways and falling hazards
Be sure to clear walkways of objects and slipping hazards. If your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair, be sure a pathway is large enough to fit them and their mobility tool through as well. Area rugs can also be tricky if the corners are easy to catch a toe under. If this is the case, it can sometimes be best to remove the rugs to prevent any issues in the future.
Stairs can also be a dangerous obstacle that should be taken very seriously. If at all possible, reduce the need to go up and down the stairs. Consider moving your loved one’s bedroom downstairs to minimize the frequency of using the stairs.
Using Oxygen in the home
If your loved one begins using oxygen, it’s important that you remove any fire hazards from the area. Additionally, be sure to hang signs for visitors that oxygen is being used and to exercise caution. Be careful with long oxygen cords, as they can get tangled and become a trip hazard. Be sure to keep this in mind as you’re preparing for oxygen.
Bathroom Safety
As we discussed a few weeks ago, bathrooms can pose serious safety risks without the proper equipment and considerations in place.
Remove any rugs from the bathroom area as they can be tripping hazards. Consider putting down non-slip mats in and around the tub to improve traction.
Install extra handles for stability in the bathtubs, showers, and around the toilet.
Shower chairs are excellent tools and can provide a comfortable showering experience. We also advise our families to add handheld shower heads, as this makes the bathing process so much easier.
One safety concern that often goes overlooked is lighting. Ensuring good lighting during the day with properly functioning light bulbs is essential. Installing night lights in the bathroom will help provide safe travel in and out of the bedroom at night.
A great tool we’ve seen used for people who struggle with many trips to the bathroom overnight is the addition of a bedside toilet. This reduces the number of steps at night when falls are more likely. These can easily be put away during the day time for privacy. We’ve seen great success with these being used!
Medication
Have medication for a loved one easily organized into pill boxes to prevent confusion. We’ve seen it many times where a loved one mistakenly takes too much medication simply because they forgot they already took their pills. Having a weekly organizer is a great way to prevent this confusion. If this doesn’t fix the problem, we’ve seen automated pill dispensers that will only dispense medication, and at the proper time. These are great tools for those who may need assistance with regulating pill consumption.
Pets
Our furry friends are amazing companions and can help keep spirits high. We certainly never advocate for removing pets from homes, unless issues arise such as aggressive behavior towards caregivers. Other things to keep in mind are that pets can be tripping hazards if not careful. A playful swipe from a cat or a silent, curled up napping dog can easily turn into a fall. Be sure to keep a close eye on this as your loved ones are up and moving. Another consideration is to communicate with your caregivers for allergies. Just be sure to be transparent in communicating with caregivers and let them know you have pets in the house so they can plan accordingly.
Driveways, sidewalks, and steps
Uneven walkways and steps leading to the house can easily become difficult to maneuver. Make sure to keep up maintenance of these areas. Hiring someone who can clear snow and ice from walking areas can be worth every penny!
Doors, mail, and spam callers
For loved ones who may be home alone from time to time, consider adding a peep hole to the door so they can easily see who is at the door before opening it. Encourage them to only answer the door if they know the person.
Another great addition to the door is a mail slot. This is a great protection against mail theft.
One of the biggest vulnerabilities seniors can face is spam callers attempting to get money from them. Many times, they will pose as someone helping a loved one in an emergency who needs money. Be sure to always call a trusted family member to confirm there is an actual situation, as nine times out of ten, these are just criminals and no family members are actually in danger
Sanitation levels
Another silent threat are infectious bacteria growing throughout the home due to decreased sanitary upkeep. Establish a plan for cleaning kitchen areas with your loved one including the counter and the refrigerator. These are common areas for bacterial growth as they most commonly come into contact with raw food. Another high priority area is the bathroom.
Having a plan for keeping these areas clean and fresh will greatly improve the general safety and health of your loved ones.
These are our safety concerns that we regularly discuss with prospective families as we discuss and implement their care plans. While there are endless amounts of risks to consider, those discussed in this list are a great starting point that will put you on a path towards completely mitigating preventable safety risks in your loved one’s home. As always, let us know what questions you might have by emailing us at thecaregivenpodcast@gmail.com!