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home safety
Procedure:
Special considerations for demented elderly:
- has the patient stopped driving?
- are the car keys well hidden?
- does the patient have access to power tools?
- are there guns in the house?
Exits & entrances to the house
- put a slide bolt lock at top &/or bottom of exit doors where it will be least noticeable
- lock sliding glass doors
- a wooden dowel in the runner at the bottom generally works well
- use a motion sensor in addition to the locks at the exits
- especially useful for elderly that wander at night
- identification bracelet
- Alzheimer's Association Safe Return program
- give name & picture of patient to local police
- hide a spare key outside of the house, give key to trusted neighbor, family, friend
- clear walkways and staircases throughout the house
- install railings on both sides of the stairs
- highlight steps with contrasting tape
Kitchen safety
- remove the knobs from the stove
- hide knobs in a nearby drawer or use stove knob covers to hide appearance of knobs
- remove medicines for all counter tops
- hide medicines in a cabinet that is out of reach or use cabinet slide lock
- reset faucet temperatures to 110-120 degrees F
- remove scissors & knives from counters & drawers
- disable garbage disposal
- remove cleaning supplies & all other toxic items from reach
- place them in a cabinet that is locked or used infrequently
- discard old toxic supplies
- unplug electrical appliances not in use
- unplug microwave when not in use, or install a hidden switch
- liquids can get very hot
- some non microwavable materials can catch fire
Bathroom safety
- use nonskid mats in shower & tub
- install tub safety rail
- consider toilet safety rail
- install grab bars at front & side wall of shower
- the screws must go into wall studs
- use shower bench in shower or tub for stability 'Universal Bath Bench with Back' more stable than other brands (Sammons Preston)
- remove glass shower doors & replace then with a shower curtain on a tension rod
- glass doors may pop out easily if they are used for support
- if replacing glass doors with a shower curtain, leave framework for doors in place so that they may be easily restored
- remove medications & cleaning supplies from cabinets
- hide or lock items in a drawer or cabinet that is infrequently used
- cabinet slide locks are convenient
- use a rechargeble, cordless electric shaver
- a cordless shaver is safer because it will not cause a shock if dropped into water
- remove & hide personal electric equipment such as hair dryers & curling irons
- replace doorknobs in bathroom & bedroom if they lock & cannot be unlocked easily from outside the room
General Home Safety
- remove scatter rugs except for nonskid rugs in bathroom
- people of all ages tend to trip on scatter rugs
- use rugs with nonskid backing or apply 2 way carpet tape if scatter rugs must be used
- use nightlights in bathroom, hallway & bedroom
- increase the brightness of your current lamps & fixtures
- do not exceed the watts recommended by the manufacturer
- replace extension cords with surge protectors
- keep electrical wires out of walkways
- repair frayed wires
- install smoke detectors on each level of home
- check batteries for function monthly
- replace batteries yearly
- have a working fire extinguisher
- place as fire extinguisher in the kitchen, but not over the stove
- check the gauge (for charge) yearly
- identify the bedrooms, to help the fire department find them during a fire, by placing a sticker on the windows
- ask your fire department for further directions or stickers
- plan & practice an escape route in the event of a fire, especially at night when most fatal fires occur
- place emergency phone numbers at every telephone
- keep a telephone and flashlight at your bedside
Resources
Items from Hardware store
item Average Price (2003)
9 volt smoke alarm $17
9 volt batteries $2
surge protector $7
2 pack Auto night light $4
flashlight $1
Safety First cabinet slide lock $3
surface bolt 4 inches $6
Safety First stove knob covers $8
2 inch carpet tape $4
Duct tape: white &/or yellow $3
fire extinguisher $10
tub & shower safety treads $5
hand-held shower with diverter valve $24
door knob with one-way lock $16
medication dispensor $7
Radio Shack
Motion Sensor (Mini PIR Alarm, Item No 49-425) $25 (has chime sound & alarm, very easy to set up)
AliMed 'Help at Home' 1-800-225-2610 (a mail order company that will deliver)
- 18 inch toilet/tub grab bars: $24
- tub safety rail: $50
- clamp-on rail clamps to any tub with the twist of a dial
- solid handle will hold full weight
- fits tub wall widths from 3-7 inches
- adjustable toilet safety rails: $45
- helps with occasional balance problems
- attaches easily to standard toilet without tools
Sammons Preston: 1-800-323-5547 (a mail order company that will deliver)
- Universal Bath Bench with Back: $58
Related
red flags of home safety
General
occupational therapy (OT)
References
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Alzheimer's Association
http://www.alz.org