How to keep your elderly loved ones safe at home

Every year hundreds of thousands of people slip, trip or fall in the United States.  While most people are able to brace themselves or just avoid falling; many others cannot.  Usually most occurrences happen while in or around the house.  Thousands of people even end up in a hospital room due to injuries obtained during their accident.  Sadly, most of these people are our elderly who have their injuries compounded by their already frail condition and other medical conditions that come with age.  The chances of slip and fall accidents are higher than most people may think.  It is estimated by the CDC that over 22,000 people die each year as the result of a slip and fall.  At First Care of New York, we want to keep you safe and aware of your potential hazards around your house.  We have provided a quick guide to 10 hazards and preventable measures to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, especially the elderly.

Here is a list of the top ten things to look out for when doing daily activities around the house and quick, preventable measures to take:

1.       Uncleanness on the floors (water, grease, oil, fluids and food)

a.       Be mindful to look where you step and be ready to stop, look and then act

2.      Poor drainage of pipes and drains (Pipes can be clogged or improperly aligned)

a.       Look out for leaks and spills of any pipes or drain

3.      Uneven indoor walking surface  (such as a raise tile/carpet)

a.       Visually inspect the floor if you feel it might be uneven

4.      Exterior irregularities on walking surfaces (protruding structures, holes and other debris)

a.       Create visual cues. Notice changes in curb or walkway elevation

5.      Different weather conditions (Ice, snow, rain, humidity and heat)

a.       Dress appropriate for the weather and carry around the require materials for that weather     

6.      Scarce Lighting (Blown bulb and other poor lit areas)

a.       Give yourself some time before walking into a poor lit area so your eyes can adjust to the light

7.      Handrails and stairs (Broken or lose)

a.       Before grabbing a handrail or walking on stairs look for any hazards first.

8.      Using other substances to climb (Stepstools and ladders)

a.       Make sure they are in good working condition and firmly positioned

9.      Tripping Hazards ( Wires, cords, hoses, medical tubing and clutter)

a.       When walking, glance in front of your feet and several feet in front of you to make note of possible obstacles

10.  Improper use of floor mats and small rugs (Worn and dirty mats)

a.       Make sure to give mats a quick look to note any defective areas where you might fall

At First Care of New York, we provide services in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.  For your convenience, a nurse can be scheduled to visit you or your loved one at home to evaluate the level of care that is needed at no cost to you, if they participate in our program.  The nurse will also be able to evaluate the home to bring to light any potential hazards that might cause harm to your loved ones.  They will help clarify some questions you or your loved ones may have.  We can provide as much care as is needed from a couple of hours a week to 24 hour live-in care and everything in between.  We have highly trained home health aides, personal care aides, homemakers, and nursing care.  We help with bathing, cooking, toileting, grooming, medicine reminder, laundry and cleaning services.  First Care is a licensed home care service agency that provides top quality aides to all our clients.

For more information about First Care of New York, please visit: www.1st-care.org