Home Safety for the Elderly Yanique Roberts RN Tatsiana Boutenko RN Magalie Cherenfant RN

Introduction According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there is an estimate of 1 million people over 65 years old that are treated in the emergency department at hospitals related to injuries that happen in the home. (“Home Safety”, 2013) Statistics show that death rates from accidental home injuries occurs about three times more in the elderly than in younger people. (“Home Safety”, 2013) This is why we are here today to teach you all what measures you can take to prevent such unfortunate incidences. Home injuries can be prevented if the right precautions are taken to prevent them. Slips and falls are the main causes of injuries to the elderly in the home and there are several ways to prevent this from happening. (“Home Safety”, 2013)

Slips and falls There are a number of factors that contribute to the falls of seniors: Walk around the home with slippers that have grips Walk around the home with slippers that have grips If you have loose rugs, make sure they also have grips on the bottom. If possible stay away from having loose rugs around the home (slip-resistant, double faced adhesive carpet tape-renew) If you have loose rugs, make sure they also have grips on the bottom. If possible stay away from having loose rugs around the home (slip-resistant, double faced adhesive carpet tape-renew) Loose cords from appliances. If you’re not able to make sure the cords are put away properly have someone do it for you. Loose cords from appliances. If you’re not able to make sure the cords are put away properly have someone do it for you. Free home of clutter. If it is not necessary, then get ride of it or put it away in storage if no space Free home of clutter. If it is not necessary, then get ride of it or put it away in storage if no space

Lighting Check and adjust light levels / do not Check and adjust light levels / do not assume that it is your poor eyesight Good lighting on stairways with switches Good lighting on stairways with switches at top and bottom at top and bottom Use non-glare 100 watt or greater Use non-glare 100 watt or greater incandescent bulbs or the fluorescent equivalents incandescent bulbs or the fluorescent equivalents Place a lamp within reach of your bed / keep a flashlight by your bed in case of power outage Place a lamp within reach of your bed / keep a flashlight by your bed in case of power outage Install night lights in the bathroom, hallways, bedroom, and kitchen Install night lights in the bathroom, hallways, bedroom, and kitchen

Kitchen Keep floors clean and uncluttered Keep floors clean and uncluttered Illuminate work areas Illuminate work areas Mark “on” and “off” positions on appliances clearly and with bright colors Mark “on” and “off” positions on appliances clearly and with bright colors Use a kettle with automatic shut off Use a kettle with automatic shut off Place microwave oven on a counter top Place microwave oven on a counter top Store sharp knives in a rack Store sharp knives in a rack Store hazardous items separate from food Store hazardous items separate from food Inspect food for freshness and expiration dates Inspect food for freshness and expiration dates Avoid wearing clothing with long, loose Avoid wearing clothing with long, loose sleeves when cooking sleeves when cooking Keep heavier objects at waist level Keep heavier objects at waist level

Bathroom Bathroom: Bathroom: Leave a light in the bathroom at night Leave a light in the bathroom at night Install non-skid surfaces on the floors, shower and tub Install non-skid surfaces on the floors, shower and tub Install grab bars near the toilet and on the walls of the bathtub/shower Install grab bars near the toilet and on the walls of the bathtub/shower Install elevated toilet seats with armrests Install elevated toilet seats with armrests Use shower chairs and bath benches Use shower chairs and bath benches Turn water heater to 120 degrees F Turn water heater to 120 degrees F Use door locks that can be opened Use door locks that can be opened from both sides from both sides Get into a tub or shower by putting Get into a tub or shower by putting the weaker leg first the weaker leg first Get out of a tub or shower with Get out of a tub or shower with your strong side first your strong side first

Bedroom Bedroom: Bedroom: Move furniture with sharp corners away from the bed in Move furniture with sharp corners away from the bed in case of falling out of bed case of falling out of bed Wear non-skid socks to bed to avoid slipping and falling Wear non-skid socks to bed to avoid slipping and falling if getting up at night if getting up at night Consider the height of the bed and how easy it is to get in Consider the height of the bed and how easy it is to get in and out of bed and out of bed Install a nightlight Install a nightlight Keep a flashlight at the bedside Keep a flashlight at the bedside Install wall-to-wall, low-pile carpeting Install wall-to-wall, low-pile carpeting Remove all sources of flame Remove all sources of flame Do not smoke in the bedroom Do not smoke in the bedroom

Medication Safety Falls are often a result of multiple factors and the risk of falling increases significantly with the number of risk factors. Falls are often a result of multiple factors and the risk of falling increases significantly with the number of risk factors. Some drugs can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, which may increase your risk of falling. Sometimes one medicine can interact with another to cause these side effects. Since many older adults take four or more medications, it is important to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to review all of them. Some drugs can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, which may increase your risk of falling. Sometimes one medicine can interact with another to cause these side effects. Since many older adults take four or more medications, it is important to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to review all of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your prescription and non- prescription medications to see if they put you at a higher risk of falling Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your prescription and non- prescription medications to see if they put you at a higher risk of falling Your pharmacist can alert your doctor to any drugs you take that may increase your risk of falling and your doctor may change your prescriptions to reduce that risk. Your pharmacist can alert your doctor to any drugs you take that may increase your risk of falling and your doctor may change your prescriptions to reduce that risk. Each time you receive a new prescription, tell your doctor if you have Each time you receive a new prescription, tell your doctor if you have

Resources Medalert- Medalert- The New York City Poison Control Center is available/ 7 days a week. Call or The New York City Poison Control Center is available/ 7 days a week. Call or New York City Department for the Aging (212) or 311 New York City Department for the Aging (212) or 311 Senior Citizens Help Line 1(800) Senior Citizens Help Line 1(800) Meal Service for Older Adults 311 Meal Service for Older Adults 311

Medication Safety Some medicines can increase your risk of falling. Look out for side effects: Some medicines can increase your risk of falling. Look out for side effects: - Dizziness or fainting: blood pressure medicine- Drowsiness : cold medicine- Weakness in the legs or arms - Imbalance or lack of coordination : emotional medicine- Confusion : blood sugar medicine- Blurred vision - Increased bruising (you may be at risk for increased bleeding if you fall) :blood clotting problems medicine - Dizziness or fainting: blood pressure medicine- Drowsiness : cold medicine- Weakness in the legs or arms - Imbalance or lack of coordination : emotional medicine- Confusion : blood sugar medicine- Blurred vision - Increased bruising (you may be at risk for increased bleeding if you fall) :blood clotting problems medicine make sure you update your medication list whenever you have a new prescription, or you no longer taking a medication your pharmacist and your nurse can also talk to your doctor about your medicines make sure you update your medication list whenever you have a new prescription, or you no longer taking a medication your pharmacist and your nurse can also talk to your doctor about your medicines Things you should remember not to do: Things you should remember not to do:

Medication Safety Do not take more or less than the prescribed amount of any medicine. Do not take more or less than the prescribed amount of any medicine. DO NOT take medications prescribed for another person or give yours to anyone else. DO NOT take medications prescribed for another person or give yours to anyone else. Do not mix alcohol and medicine. Some medicines may not work well or may make you sick if taken with alcohol. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have a question. Do not mix alcohol and medicine. Some medicines may not work well or may make you sick if taken with alcohol. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have a question. The New York City Poison Control Center is available/ 7 days a week. Call or if you have medical questions. Translator services are available. Calls are free of charge and confidential. The New York City Poison Control Center is available/ 7 days a week. Call or if you have medical questions. Translator services are available. Calls are free of charge and confidential.

Medication Safety Take your time. Stop for a moment before getting up. Stand slowly to be sure that you have your balance and aren't light-headed -- then walk. Take your time. Stop for a moment before getting up. Stand slowly to be sure that you have your balance and aren't light-headed -- then walk. Use the bathroom before bed. If you are taking a diuretic, schedule your last dose a few hours before going to bed Use the bathroom before bed. If you are taking a diuretic, schedule your last dose a few hours before going to bed Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens important muscle groups and improves your balance and coordination. Ask your health care provider about the best type of exercise for you Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens important muscle groups and improves your balance and coordination. Ask your health care provider about the best type of exercise for you Have your vision checked regularly Have your vision checked regularly Get checked for osteoporosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the need for calcium and vitamin D. Get checked for osteoporosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the need for calcium and vitamin D.

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