March 18,2013
Jodi Wood, RN, BSN of Visiting Angels, Akron, Ohio Offers Specific Helpful Hints to Assist Caregivers with Making their Home Safe from Falls.
Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Seventy-five percent of these falls occur in older adults. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized. Being proactive to create a safe home environment reduces the risk of falls and injury allowing older adults to stay in their home longer.
œFear of falling keeps some of our senior citizens from enjoying a full life, said Jodi Wood, RN, owner of the Summit County branch of Visiting Angels. œBy making a few alterations within the home and learning to change priorities, our older adults can greatly reduce their risk of falling.
Wood offers some helpful suggestions that caregivers can utilize to assist their aging parent or spouse with creating a safe environment within the home:
1. Dress appropriately. Rubber-soled shoes offer the best traction when walking across a variety of surfaces.
2. Create a fall-safe environment. De-clutter rooms and walkways, reduce the number of throw rugs and make sure that frequently used items in the kitchen and bath are on the shelves that can be reached without a step stool.
3. Check your medication. It may be time to have a professional examine medications to see if they cause dizziness or a propensity to an equilibrium problem. Visiting Angels offers a Medication Management program.
4. Use assistance devices. Handrails, bathmats, raised commode seats, shower handles, grabbing poles, canes, and walkers are all helpful tools that reduce the likelihood of a fall.
5. Consider saying no. Tasks that were once part of the daily routine may not be possible for an older adult. Trips to the basement, carrying heavy objects up and down stairs may need to be delegated for safety's sake.
6. Ask for help. Delegate those tasks that have a higher risk factor. If a family or neighbor is unavailable, contact Visiting Angels of Summit County for daily, weekly, or occasional help.
7. Slow down. Avoid rushing and hurrying. Often falls happen when we aren't paying attention to what we are doing because we are in a hurry.
Visiting Angels of Summit County provides services that will assist in creating a fall safe environment. For more information, call 330-733-1532.
About Visiting Angels - Summit County
Visiting Angels, Summit County is one of the few home care options owned and operated by a licensed registered nurse. Jodi Wood, RN, BSN, opened Visiting Angels in 1999 and offers a wide range of in home services from light housekeeping to medicine management; one time visits to daily care. Visiting Angels provides seniors and adults with the needed assistance to continue living at home. All care givers are experienced and employed by Visiting Angels and their offices are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visiting Angels, Summit County is located at 10 Northwest Ave. Suite 200, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278 and services Akron, Tallmadge, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Hudson and surrounding areas. For more information contact 330-733-1532.
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