As adults age and their abilities change, their home may no longer be as safe as it once was. Depending on their physical and mental changes, their home could be full of dangerous situations, such as areas that increase their risk for falling. It may not be safe for them to cook unsupervised due to changes in memory. They may be at risk of becoming stuck on the toilet or chair, unable to get up unassisted. Occupational or physical therapists are trained to look for these unsafe situations and can offer personalized recommendations for making a senior’s home safe again.

When an occupational or physical therapist conducts a home safety evaluation, they are looking for potential dangers, considering the specific needs and limitations of the senior who lives there. They inspect the physical environment, but they also look at how the individual interacts within it.

Looking for Safety Concerns
Some potential safety hazards might include:

Inability to use stove safely
Spoiled food in the refrigerator
Chairs, toilet or bed that is too low for the senior to rise from independently
Bath mats or throw rugs that create a tripping hazard
Dim lighting
Slippery floors
Medication stored unsafely
Lack of grab bars or shower seating
Thresholds creating tripping hazards
Unsafe stairs
Cluttered, crowded walkways

Considering the Specific Situation

After the home safety evaluation is completed, the therapist identifies any concerns and offers personalized recommendations based on the senior’s specific situation. They take into account any limitations facing the senior, including:

Vision or hearing loss
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Pain
Mental health, depression
Dementia
Delirium
Ability to walk / balance
Chronic or acute medical conditions
Medication challenges
Financial limitations
Low social support
Transportation challenges
Personalized Recommendations

Based on their findings, they may recommend removing throw rugs, adding grab bars or toilet risers, or changing where medication is stored. Replacing furniture, cleaning up clutter, or adding threshold ramps are other simple measures that can make a big difference in home safety. Some of the concerns, however, may not be able to be addressed with a simple purchase or item removal.

Home Care can Increase Home Safety

A common recommendation for seniors in an unsafe situation is to add in home care support at key times throughout the day or week. Home care agencies provide trained staff to assist seniors in their homes in these situations. They offer a wide array of services, which are customizable based on each senior’s specific needs. This goes a long way toward enabling seniors to age in place safely and successfully. Because home care services are customizable to each situation, they look different from case to case, however some common recommendations for home care support include:

Light housework
Clearing up clutter
Ensuring clean, dry floors in bathrooms or other areas
Changing bed linens or doing laundry
Cleaning out the refrigerator regularly
Shopping support
Meal preparation or meal reminders / encouragement
Assistance with bathing, toileting or dressing
Assistance with walking or mobility
Transportation support

How to Arrange for a Home Safety Evaluation

Home safety evaluations are ordered by a doctor. They are commonly ordered before discharging a patient home from a hospital stay. If you have concerns about the home safety of a senior in your life, talk to their doctor about a home safety evaluation. In many cases, Medicare or medical insurance will cover most or all of the costs of this service.

Sources
https://www.geriatricfastfacts.com/fast-facts/home-safety-evaluation-can-i-send-patient-home#:~:text=A%20Home%20Safety%20Evaluation%20is,patient%20while%20in%20the%20home.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Sterling, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 782-3655.