Topic 10: Home Safety, Fall prevention, Assistive Devices

WHAT You NeeD To KNoWWhen caring for someone at home, you need to think about where most of the care will be provided. • Willtheperson’sbedbemoveddownstairstothefamilyroom? • Willtheperson’sbedstayinabedroom? • Canthepersonclimbstairs? • Howcloseisthebathroom?

Adapting Your HomeWith a few simple changes you can adapt your home without too much disruption. • Removethrowrugsthatcanatrippinghazard. • Uselightsatthetopandbottomofstairs. • Addastripofcontrastingcolouronthestairedgeusingapieceofbrightcolouredducttape. • Keepfloorsdry;wetorslipperyfloorsareoftenatrippinghazard. • Removetoys,papers,magazines,cablesfromthefloorthatcouldbetrippedover. • Createaspecialareaneartheperson’sbedand/orchairwithspecialfamilypictures,mementoes, and where music can be played. • Placeasmalltablewithalightonitnearthebedandattheheightofthebedformedications, snacks,IPad,ajournal,aphone,etc.

• Useacomfortablearmchairthatisn’ttoolowsothepersoncangetinandoutofthechair. • Ifthebedishigh,addasturdyfootstooltohelpthepersongetinandoutofbedwithsomeassistance. • Asmallbellorevenababymonitorhelpswithlettingyouknowthatthepersonneedsyou. • Installagrabbarnearthetubandtoilet. • Makesurethatpantlegsarenottoolongandareproperlyhemmed. • Helpthepersonputonshoesorsturdyslippersasstockingfeetareslippery. • Usethisphraseoftenwhenhelpingthepersonmove:Takeyourtime!

Home AidsThevisitingnurseand/oroccupationaltherapistmayhaveotherhomeaidsthatwillmakelifeeasierforyouasthecaregiverandforthepersonyouarecaringfor.Manyoftheseitemscanberentedorborrowed.

HosPITAlbed Commonfeaturesincludeadjustableheightforthewholebed,justthe head of the bed or justthefootofthebedside rails, electronic beds to operate the bed.

CoMMode that can also be used in showerAportabletoiletthat looks like the combination of a wheelchair and a bed pan;somecanevenberolled into the shower

bATHboARd Provideaseatedplatform area over the bath so that someone who has difficulty steppingin/outofthebath can complete a seated transfer.

NIgHTlIgHTImportant for the safety of older adults for whom falls are a leading cause of injury-relateddeaths.Notall nightlights are equally well made and some may actuallybeafirehazard.besuretocheckwithanelectrician before installing a night light.

bedRAIlsCanbeattachedonanybed to prevent falling out of bed and to assist with sitting up.

HoTWATeRboTTle Madeofrubbercancontain hot water and placed anywhere a person needs the comfort of extra heat.

CANe,CRUTCHes WHeelCHAIRoRWAlKeR

RUbbeRsHeeTs savethemattressfrombecoming wet.

RAIsedToIleTseATAttachestoyourowntoilet to raise the seat height.

geloRfoAMCUsHIoN Areusedtopreventpressure sores.

lIfTCHAIRPowerliftandreclinetohelp a person get out of a chair.

oveRbedTAbleAnarrow,rectangulartable on wheels that extends over the bed for eating or other activities.

HAIRWAsHINgTRAy Is contoured to fit the neck comfortably andresttheperson’shoulders for easy shampooing in a seated position.

bATHRooMRAIlsCanbeattachedintheshower, bathtub, and near the toilet to allow someone to help pull themselves up and prevent falling.

TRAPezebAR Attachestotheceilingover the bed and is grabbed by the patient to help swing and transfer the person to standing and lying positions.

sHeePsKIN Asmallfluffypadtohelp reduce skin irritation when lying or sitting.

INCoNTINeNCePAdsdisposableitemsto cover chairs or mattresses.

bolsTeRoRWedge Helpspreventpressuresoars, helps with turning or positioning heavier people.

TRANsfeRbelTUsedtohelpsafelytransfer a person from a bed to a wheelchair and vice-versa.

Assistive DevicesAssistivedevicesaretoolsthathelpaweakordisabledpersonholdobjects,openandclosethings,transferweightwhileshiftingpositions,orwalk.Therearesomanydevicesthatmakelifeathomemoreaccessible.besidestheitemslisted above, look at the images and descriptions of these other useful items that may be of benefit to your situation.

TheTransferMatisaflexible,non-slippaddesignedtoprovideastablepivotpoint that helps with the transition from a seated position to standing.

Thisstablebeanbagbasewillconformtoanylaporsurfaceandisidealforbed or wheelchair use.

Ahandgripmakesgraspingautensilorpenorbrushmucheasier

Atoiletseatextendercanbeveryhelpful

WAlK iN THeSe SHoeS

Watch the video to learn more about how to prevent falls at home. youtu.be/IR5jqkWebey?t=28

Returntothemainpagetowatchhowtohelpapersonmovefromabedtoachair.

ADDiTioNAl ReSouRceS

use these additional resources to learn more about the topic of Assistive Devices.

ontario’sAssistivedevicesprogramwww.ontario.ca/page/assistive-devices-program

MarchofdimesAssistivedevicesProgramwww.marchofdimes.ca/eN/programs/adp/Pages/Adp.aspx