Preparing Your Home Part II

       I would hope you have already done most of these things in your home whether or not your loved one is moving in. But if not, please look the list over carefully and take safety seriously. As someone who falls often, I know the importance of removing hazardous items. I’m still nursing a fractured tailbone from a fall nearly 7 months ago.

       If your loved one still uses the oven and stove, please be sure they know the rules of the kitchen and how to operate the fire extinguisher!

Modifying the Home Environment:

• Remove obstacles such as extra furniture in the room, and nick knacks from tables.
• Make sure prescription eye wear is up to date, have rails in place where needed. Have easy access to cane, walker or wheelchair.
• Add cushioned safety edges to sharp corners of tables.
• Put casters on front two legs of heavy dining chairs. Note: Only do this if you have thick carpeting that won’t allow table chairs to move in and out.
• Put sticky pads on the underside of area rugs or remove the rugs completely. Removing the rugs is a better alternative, especially for those with gait problems, or who walk with canes and/or walkers.
• If there is an animal in the home, be sure the pet is not able to get underfoot. This is a common issue with pets and loved ones who have difficulty with mobility. A child's safety gate is a good option for a pet who gets underfoot.
• Keep a clear path to all doors that lead outside.
• Set the temperature of the water heater below 110 degrees Fahrenheit. (Remember, the elderly have fragile skin and hot water will be more damaging to them than to younger adults).

Carbon Monoxide Detector

Kitchen Fire Extinguisher

• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn how to use and maintain it properly.
• Repair or replace any electrical appliances that have frayed wires or damaged plugs.
• Check for overloaded electrical outlets. Put in surge protectors where needed.
• Remove electrical cords from underneath rugs or carpet.

Cord covers work great!

• Use electrical cord winders or twist ties to get longer cords out of the way. Nailing cords along the baseboards is also a good way to keep the dangerous cords, tidy and safe.
• Install dead-bolt locks on doors leading outside, and sturdy locks on all windows.Use a heavy dowel on the slider if possible, not only to keep strangers out, but to keep your loved one inside (especially those who roam).
• Have the furnace and thermostat inspected regularly by a qualified reliable heating professional.
• Put a shower or tub chair in the bathing area so if your loved one becomes weak he/she can sit.
• Install a Carbon Monoxide detector in a convenient place.
• Install safety bars in all places where needed.

  

  We have bars ALL over the house

• Install an intercom or purchase a battery operated or wireless intercom system if necessary (you can buy these online starting at about $40).These allow you to find out who is at the door even when you're in the back room tending to your loved one.

• Install locks on cabinets where necessary (some loved ones have a tendency to open the medication cabinet, so please lock it up and distribute medication safely).

  

  Our shower is super safe!

For Parkinson's patients with gait problems, hard wood floors are beneficial. Sticking blue tape every couple of feet horizontally (from wall to wall) down the hall can help them lift their feet over the lines and move along better. The tape tricks the brain into thinking there is something to step over and for some unknown reason keeps the gait continuous. Or, you can run blue tape down the middle of the hallways, parallel to the walls which sometimes accomplishes the same thing.

Note: carpeting may have to be removed if your loved one is in a wheelchair. But, try the chair on the carpeting before making a costly decision like this.

Look for Preparing Your Home Part III coming up next!

Based on Guide to Home Caregiving by American Medical Association. JohnWiley & Sons, Inc. ©2001 American Medical Association All Rights Reserved
Additional editing by Lauri Dilbeck