| People generally want to be self-sufficient and feel | | | | detectors if they are not already in place. Also, install a |
| comfortable and safe in their home. There are a | | | | peep hole in your front door to view visitors without |
| variety of specialty products and assistive devices | | | | having to open the door. Provide a spare key and |
| available to help people if aspects of everyday life | | | | emergency phone numbers to a trustworthy neighbor. |
| become challenging. Remodeling or retrofitting the | | | | Make sure medications are properly stored and |
| home may also be an option worth considering. To | | | | marked. |
| help make life easier and safer for someone, you | | | | PERSONAL MEASURES have to do with getting aids |
| might consider the following Precautionary, Protective, | | | | and devices to enhance function and independence. |
| and Personal measures: | | | | Give consideration to the following: |
| PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES have to do with | | | | * Sensory Aids: Dentures, hearing aids, eye glasses, |
| adapting and maintaining one's living environment. | | | | etc. |
| Adaptive Measures involve home modifications such | | | | * Mobility and Transfer Aids: Cane, walker, wheelchair, |
| as the following: | | | | lift chair, hospital bed, etc. |
| * Access: Install a wheelchair ramp, handrails on both | | | | Adaptive Clothing: Front/rear closure garments, |
| sides of staircases, low profile thresholds between | | | | Velcro™ closure fashions and footwear, etc. |
| doors, and motion detector lighting. Also, clear | | | | * Convenience Items: Special needs telephone, large |
| obstructed pathways, replace plush carpeting with low | | | | handle utensils and apparatuses, etc. |
| pile carpeting, and develop an emergency exit plan. | | | | * Personal Care: Incontinence supplies, personal |
| * Bathroom: Install grab bars by the toilet and bathtub, | | | | hygiene items, etc. |
| lever faucet handles, and a hand-held shower head. | | | | * Peace of Mind: Personal emergency response |
| Purchase a seat for the shower or bathtub, a liquid | | | | system – e.g. "I've fallen and need help." |
| soap dispenser and an elevated toilet seat. Apply | | | | Once you identify ways to help make life easier and |
| non-skid, adhesive, textured strips in the bathtub and | | | | safer, the next step is to determine who is going to do |
| shower and make sure all outlet receptacles are GFCI | | | | what and by when. Assigning roles and dates are |
| (ground fault circuit interrupters). | | | | great ways to help make sure good intentions |
| * Kitchen: Install lever faucet handles, a pullout spray, | | | | become reality. Agreeing that it makes sense to |
| and GFCI outlets, and sliding shelves in low cabinets for | | | | purchase health aids or make changes within the |
| easier access. Purchase a side-by-side refrigerator | | | | home is one thing. Actually doing it is often another. |
| and a stove or range with controls on the front. | | | | OTHER RESOURCES: |
| * General: Check for safe use of extension cords (not | | | | * For assistance, recommendations, and referrals, |
| overloaded, frayed or under carpet), apply slip resistant | | | | contact your local Home Helpers office or your local |
| runners under area rugs, and install rocker-style light | | | | Area Agency on Aging. |
| switches. Also, regulate the hot water heater to | | | | * For home safety tips and checklists, contact the |
| prevent scalding and check that furniture is sturdy | | | | Consumer Product Safety Commission at |
| should a person try to catch his or her balance. | | | | 800-638-2772 or |
| MAINTENANCE MEASURES refer to keeping the | | | | * Another helpful resource is the Home Safety Council. |
| environment operationally efficient and safe. Give | | | | To contact the Council, call 202-330-4900 or visit |
| consideration to general cleaning, removal of trash, and | | | | * For assistance with products and services, contact |
| clutter. Don't forget to replace furnace filters and | | | | your local pharmacy or a medical equipment company. |
| smoke alarm batteries. Also, keep up with general | | | | If you prefer shopping over the phone or on-line, you |
| maintenance and repairs. | | | | might call Solutions for Better Aging at 888-405-4242 |
| PROTECTIVE MEASURES have to do with ensuring | | | | or visit |
| one's environment is safe from intrusion and provides | | | | * For information on the Alzheimer's Association Medic |
| a comfortable atmosphere for a person to live. | | | | Alert and Safe Return Program, call 888-572-8566 or |
| Common considerations include: | | | | visit them on the web at: |
| * Doors and Windows: Check that they shut and lock | | | | HOME HELPERS services address many of the |
| properly. Install an automatic opener on the garage | | | | considerations and competencies referred to above. |
| door and make sure the door is functioning properly. | | | | Our non-medical and personal care services are similar |
| * Lighting: Make sure there is adequate lighting by | | | | to what is often provided by family members and are |
| stairs, in hallways, the kitchen, bathrooms and outdoors. | | | | designed to help people maintain their independence |
| * Safety: Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide | | | | and avoid isolation. |