Identifying Hazards in the home
- Remove loose rugs, as they are a tripping hazard
- Make sure the stair carpet is securely fixed
- Remove any clutter from the walk ways and stair areas throughout the home
- Make sure that lighting is adequate, consider installing long life light bulbs to avoid future problems
- Look at the layout of the furniture in the house, re arrange where it makes it easier to manouvere
- If you do not have storage next to the seat the person favours – install some – it is best to have easy to reach things like newspapers and knitting rather than putting them on the floor – it can be too hard to bend that far.
- Place electrical items near the power points to avoid long cords – these are tripping hazards
What you can do to improve facilities in the home
- Install hand rails in the bathroom areas
- Install hand rails along the walkways throughout the home if stability is an issue.
- Consider using over toilet aids and shower stools to assist with everyday cleansing – this will increase independancy for the user
- When wearing footwear ensure it is sensible and fits well
- Where needed use mobility aids to assist in manouvering about the home
- Look at stair lifts – they may make climbing the stairs less of a chore.
- Install LIfts Chairs so getting up from sitting position is not so hard
Bathroom
The bathroom area of the home can be a hazard in itself, these are some of the things that can happen
- Water spills – create a slippiing hazard
- Steamy environment can make the patient dizzy
If a fall occurs in the bathroom – the person could be blocking the doorway – which means that help cannot access the person easily
Some other good solutions are:
- Hand Rails and Shower Seats will help with the stability and balance problems
- Installing a reverse swing door will assist with any potential falling occurances
- Remove the lock so that the door can never be locked – which locks any potential help out.
Bladder & Bowel website – Carer Assistance info
