CAREGIVERS O R N E R By Kathy Cocks, RN Spring Cleaning We all get excited about spring—warm weather, green grass and beautiful flowers. But somehow, we also associate spring with cleaning. We put away our coldweather clothes and then take the time to get rid of stuff we do not use. Sometimes our accumulation of “stuff” can be overwhelming. What can we do this spring? We can organize and get rid of a few things not just to have a more tranquil space but a safer home. I have been into homes that are jammed-packed with furniture. Yet most of my clients need to use a walker and they have trouble navigating around the furniture. Or they have bruises from a piece of furniture that is impeding their movement.
people try to grab a bedside table to get up and many of these have sharp corners. Many seniors get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and may feel groggy. Just another reason a bed rail can come in handy and help prevent a fall. Most people do not want to leave lights on at night that disturb their sleep, but they need some kind of light as they navigate their way to the bathroom. Motion-activated low light can be installed or plugged in that turns on when it senses a person moving and it is a type of light that does not cause your brain to wake up fully. This is an inexpensive solution to keep loved ones safe at night. Bathrooms tend to have large tile, cold floors, and sometimes spilled water which makes for a dangerous situation. Many homeowners are afraid if they install handrails or other aids it will decrease the value of their home but you should also remember these aids can be removed prior to putting your home on the market. Your comfort and safety in the present are the priority. There are inexpensive standard silver handrails, but manufacturers make stylish options to match your home’s existing fixtures. You can also purchase towel racks and toilet paper dispensers that can also function as handrails. You can have a bench installed in your shower that looks nice and can hold your weight. Even shelves can be installed in such a way as to function as a handrail. If you do not know how to purchase or install this equipment always consult with a professional to make sure everything is installed safely. A small investment can save money in the long run as individuals avoid expensive hospital and rehabilitation stays.
Then look at items that are fall risks and do something about them. Throw rugs are one of the most dangerous items in the house because the padding that makes them nonslip begins to degrade and create a fall hazard. Most doorways have raised thresh holds that people can trip on if they can not lift their feet very well. A professional can design thresh holds that are level with the floor.
As a caregiver go through a mock day in the life of your loved one and evaluate the home based on functionality and safety. If they use a mobility aid put yourself in their circumstance. Go through their daily routine moving from room to room. Make a list of what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes all they need is sturdy handrails to get in and out of bed or up and down the porch.
Next time watch how your loved one gets in and out of bed. It is harder than it looks, but a simple slide under the bed handrail gives them something to hold onto making it much easier and safer. I have also seen older
Many people purchase a fall button in case they need emergency help. You can also have a keypad installed. But people do not think about how the
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CAREGIVER Magazine
Issue 20
CaregiverOklahoma.com
