Have you ever tried to finish a home improvement project without using the right tools? How did it turn out? As a new homeowner, I’ve learned the results aren’t pretty.

Along the same lines, using the right equipment can enable people with certain physical limitations to safely accomplish every-day tasks in the home. If you use any of these common household items for these (or similar) reasons, allow me to share with you a few safer options.

1) Avoid holding onto the towel rack to enter and exit the bathtub or shower. These racks were never designed to hold more than the weight of wet towels.

Instead, consider installing grab bars, which designed to provide adequate support.

2) Avoid holding onto furniture to maintain balance when walking around the home. Furniture can serve many purposes, but it is not a adequate long-term solution to make walking safer.

Instead, consider using an assistive device, such as a cane or a walker, which can help keep you steady when walking around the home.

3) Avoid sitting on a bucket or a step stool when taking a shower.

Instead, use a shower chair or a tub bench. Both items are designed to assist with bathing activity and are height-adjustable.

If you think any of these devices can benefit a loved one speak to their physician or a home health care professional.

Click on the video below to learn more ways to keep the home safe for your loved one.

^{Photo by Danilo Rizzuti}

Since the presentations, we have seen noticeable changes in behavior that are helping our members live safely at home. Before, many of our ladies were wearing high heels to the center. After hearing the falls prevention information from the CHOICE Rehab Consultants, they’re now all wearing sneakers or flat shoes to the center.

Not only did the seniors learn from the health education, but our Home Health Aides learned much about identifying risks in the home. Last week, when our HHA arrived at a member’s home for van pick-up, the member crawled to open the door. She had just fallen in her living room. Thankfully the member was not injured, but given the new falls prevention information, the HHA noticed many falls hazards around the home including long extension cords, loose rugs and phone cords, boxes in the hallway and pocketbooks on the floor. When the HHA reported the hazards, center staff immediately notified the member’s Nurse Consultant. The nurse and family are now working with the member to make safe pathways and reduce clutter in order to improve safety in the home.

Video: How To Prevent Trips and Falls In The Home

New York City temperatures are beginning to drop. Before you know it snow will be in the forecast, which means older adults need to take adequate precautions before heading outdoors. They can reduce their risk of falling by sticking to these guidelines.

Using an assistive device such as a walker or a cane doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take additional steps for winter safety.

For more helpful tips on preventing accidents this winter, check out the VNSNY page.

Equally if not more impressive are the elderly I work with who continue to take care of their bodies by staying physically active. Here are some of the ways I have observed how they do it:

1.) Socialization

Regular trips to the local senior center allow them to catch up with friends and participate in activities such as group exercise.

2.) Exercise Routine

They stick to a set time of day to walk, stretch, or do simple exercises, and this can be as important as setting aside time for meals.

3.) Supportive Network

Their family and friends provide an encouraging voice to help them stay positive in all that they do.

4.) Falls Prevention

They live in a safe home environment and are knowledgeable about falls prevention.

Have a peaceful week.

Now back to the question, my immediate reply to my friend’s question was any role with National Geographic magazine would do, really. Blogger, production assistant, travel secretary, which would certainly fill my appetite for travel — you get the picture.

However, after some more serious thought, I realized my work with the elderly is what I am really excited about. Working with older adults and seeing improvements in their daily lives is rewarding. The opportunities I have to teach an exercise to increase one’s strength, to provide education to help one prevent a fall and listen to someone’s life story, and in turn build their trust, are just some of the highlights that can occur daily.

Sure the thought of traveling around the world still sounds exotic, but right now providing care in the New York City is like having the world at my finger tips.

Here’s the scenario: the big game everyone has been waiting for is about to start, and one second of action can’t be missed. Now let’s examine what items surround our sports fan sitting in his living room.

Things you may find:

• Remote Control: It’s too risky to allow someone to change the channel.
• Food and Beverage: Nutritional requirements need to be sustained, right?
• Phone: Emergency calls might have to come in through, even during the big game.

What do all of these items have in common?

They are all important to our sports fan and are within arm’s length so one second of the action isn’t missed.

Now how does this apply to falls prevention in the elderly? Falls occur most commonly when seniors are trying to get out of bed in the middle of the night to travel to the bathroom.

What can we learn from the elderly who minimize their risk of falls?

Just like our sports fan, the senior who stays safe keeps important items close to him, especially during night time hours. Some of the items that are within arm’s length are:

• Night lamps: Provides enough illumination so you know where you’re going. A touch sensitive lamp is a good alternative if one has limited hand dexterity.
• Assistive devices: If you use a cane or walker keep it close to you at all times. Holding onto furniture is not a safe alternative.
• Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS): If you utilize one wear the portable necklace or bracelet at all times.
• Phone: Keep your communication with the outside world accessible.
• And you can learn more about falls prevention with a new VNSNY service called Strong Foundations.

Keep your environment safe to keep yourself safe.

Finding a good pair of shoes is priceless. During my teen years I was one of those sneaker fanatics. I admit to spending hours at the local shoe store combing through aisles and aisles of footwear in search of the perfect sneaker.

Perhaps I was hoping to jump as high, run as fast, and play ball like my favorite athletes. Looking back, the closest I got to the pros were the upper deck seats.

But I wasn’t so far off, good shoes make a huge difference. For instance, older adults who wear a good pair of shoes will help minimize their risk of falling. Allow me to guide you through some of the key features to look for in a safe shoe:

Traction

• Look for soles that can provide adequate traction on a variety of walking surfaces
• It’s time to look for a new pair if the traction is starts to wear out

Closed back

• Shoes with a closed back provide additional support and are less likely to slip off which is a major cause of tripping
• Some examples of backless footwear to avoid are slippers and clogs

Comfort

• Wearing comfortable shoes will help prevent foot injuries
• Be mindful of not only the length but also the width of the shoe
• Take a look at my post with tips on choosing a comfortable shoe

Is it easy to keep on?

• Consider wearing a shoe with Velcro straps if you have difficulty using laces

If you have had a history of foot problems consult your doctor prior to purchasing a new pair of shoes.

It’s amazing how your choice of footwear can help prevent tripping and slipping while allowing you to stay active. Doesn’t that sound like a win win situation?

Photo by Suat Eman

An interesting example of this was a challenge one aide had when she arrived at Ms. M’s house for morning pick-up. Her family had been struggling for months to get Ms. M down her home staircase.  The aide paid close attention to Ms. M’s reaction when she got to the stairs and noticed that instead of touching the handrail, she quickly pulled her hands away. This was frustrating for the family, as they experienced this every time they tried to take her out of the house. The aide suggested that perhaps the handrail was uncomfortably cold for Ms. M. So, the family put gloves on Ms. M, and voilá! She reached for the handrail immediately and went right down the stairs. Now, Ms. M has no problem getting to the Day Center van and more importantly, her family is now able to take her out anytime with ease.

Observations and insights from Home Health Aides are extremely valuable. They’re an essential part of the caregiver team and can make a real difference in quality of life for patients and caregivers.