Try: Widen treads or shorten risers replace outdoor stairs with ramps install sturdy handrail or grab rails along both sides of stairs put reflector tape on edge of treads install barriers or gates at stairs if needed provide adequate lighting and ensure steps are free of clutter information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety stairways stairs steps

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Make sure that there are working smoke detectors on every floor find a phone with large number pads and large speed-dial keys that can be programmed with important numbers post emergency phone numbers in large print on or near the telephone supply telephone with direct dialing system for emergency important numbers hide house key outside or give to neighbor for emergencies put automatic door closing devices on doors to outside and alarms when needed notify local police department that if your family member is memory impaired be certain that there is adequate lighting throughout the house and install nightlights check that all electrical cords are free of frays put childproof plugs in outlets be certain that no outlets or switches are unusually warm or hot to touch reduce clutter; remove furniture that is hazardous and may move when leaned on put reflector tape on furniture corners hallways bedrooms to create a path to follow at night avoid polished floors that may be slippery and remove all non skid resistant rugs and runners put opaque tape on glass door and picture windows remove or lock up sharp objects breakable ones and remove all firearms from home keep electric fans out of reach cover radiators with radiator guards supervise or restrict smoking use safety ashtrays and keep matches lighters out of reach use flame-retardant mattresses pillows and sheets and plan procedure for fire evacuation store all prescription and over the counter medications safely away and clearly labeled lock up cleaning supplies chemicals and poisons and install a carbon monoxide detector lock up valuables important papers and documents and have system for safe mail retrieval be certain plumbing and utilities are working remove poisonous houseplants and have first aid kit easily accessible take away car keys when necessary and disarm hide controls for automatic garage doors inform neighbors of any safety features in home that may restrict entry information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Ensure walkway is uncluttered and doorway accessible provide safe entry into the house or apartment with secure railing present provide viewing of visitors prior to entry when possible secure doors to outside with double key locks or high or low locks information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety entrance door doorway

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Furnish with chairs sofas that can safely get up down adapt seating with additional firm cushions to raise seat provide auto raising lift chair to assist getting up when necessary be certain safe opening closing of windows or key locked windows installed ascertain ability to operate the television and light switches keep cords out from under carpeting and furniture and clear of walkways information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety living area living room

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Maintain appliances in working order ascertain ability to manipulate sink faucets with hot water temperature settings reduced make sure electrical cords aren’t dangling near water ascertain ability to open close refrigerator freezer stove door and cabinets ascertain ability to reach dishes pots utensils and outlets store sharp objects are safely away keep flammables away from the stove area remove small non-food items that could be swallowed cover stove burners remove knobs shut-off valves and install auto-pilots when needed unplug or put away kitchen appliances not in use disconnect or camouflage garbage disposals information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety kitchen

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Locate bedroom near bathroom or furnish bedside commode use night-lights to provide nighttime orientation ensure safe transfer in out bed and remove bed frame if bed is too high rent or purchase a hospital bed if needed supply bumpers or padding to surround bed if needed install reverse locks on doors when needed use monitor to listen to activity especially at night remove carpeting if incontinence becomes a problem install room darkening blinds or shades when needed be certain that phone and light is accessible from bed be certain that clothes in the closet dresser are reachable information references "home care " available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Home safety checklist home safety bedroom

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Can you answer yes to these questions if so the facility may be a good fit #is it easy to arrange for a tour of the facility within a few days #are you invited and encouraged to stay for a meal #are you free to talk with residents and other families in unsupervised setting #are you able to meet don director of nursing and talk with other staff freely during visit #are visiting hours flexible and are other family members visiting residents and seem welcome #are you allowed to make an unscheduled visit and do you feel welcome upon popping in #during busy mealtimes do more dependent residents receive the help they need with eating #does staff interact with other residents and each other politely when unaware of your presence #is the daily events activities calendar posted and is facility following this schedule #is most recent state inspection report for nursing home posted in facility information references "tips for cutting costs of assisted living" by clare absher available at www carepathways com

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Housing assisted living care facilities

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: When considering these areas of the home ask the following questions are your closets and storage areas conveniently located are your closet shelves too high can you reach items in the closet easily do you have enough storage space have you gotten the maximum use out of the storage space you have including saving space with special closet shelf systems and other products information references "home modifications" 2010 available at www eldercare gov

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Closets storage spaces independence checklist safety living at home accessibility

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: What is home modification home modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so that they can continue to live independently and safely these modifications may include adding assistive technology or making structural changes to a home modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to full-scale construction projects that require installing wheelchair ramps and widening doorways benefits the main benefit of making home modifications is that they promote independence and prevent accidents older americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives " but other studies show that most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of people over age 65 most seniors live in homes that are more than 20 years old as these buildings get older along with their residents they may become harder to live in or maintain a house that was perfectly suitable for a senior at age 55 for example may have too many stairs or slippery surfaces for a person who is 70 or 80 thousands of older americans fall at home each year information references "home modifications" by 2010 available at www eldercare gov

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Independence safety living at home adaptations home accommodations

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Caregivers need to be lookout for the following potential signs of abuse and neglect of a Care recipient (cr) who is in a nursing home or other similar facility appropriate action needs to be taken if abuse and neglect is suspected fecal and urine smells bed sores and or pressure sores torn clothing or personal items constant falls and traumas excessive weight loss or weight gain pale complexion lack of personal hygiene presence of dirt lice fleas etc a change in the cr cr’s personality keep in mind that abuse can also occur without any presence of physical symptoms it is also important to remember that emotional abuse be just as common and devastating to the nursing home resident inadequate diet nutrition and lifestyle programs and facilities inadequate activity recreation socialization programs and facilities lack of proper heating or cooling lack of proper hygienic cleaning poor resident morale inadequate staffing and failure to provide needed services staff members who are rude staff members who would rather talk among themselves than do their jobs and help the residents staff members who have no compassion and do not care about the well being of the residents poor staff morale information references

Materials: n/a

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Abuse

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed