Support for Seniors and the Community to better Independent Living A Guide to Safe Living Healthy Independence, at Home.
Healthy Aging In Your Own Home There are many factors which contribute to healthy aging. We may have little control over factors such as our genetic make-up, but there are many things we can do to maintain vital, active lives. As we get older, our bodies change and we can become more prone to falls. Certain risks can be eliminated and others considerably reduced by simple prevention measures. This guide will help you to recognize safety risks and help you to make simple changes to reduce the chances of injury in and around your home. Read through this guide by yourself or with a loved one, and mark the areas where you haven t yet considerd may be a safety hazard within your home.
At ESS, we are all committed to creating and sustaining the safest possible environment to both our clients and our employees. At ESS, we will... Our Commitment to Client Safety Understand safety as everyone s business, from clients to employees Respect our health, so we can provide safe quality care to our clients Speak up for safety with courage and conviction at every opportunity Healthy Independence, at Home.
Your Guide to Safe Living Bathroom Kitchen Bedroom Basement/Stairs Floors Entrances/Garage/Outside Fire Infection Control Food Fraud Protection What to do, if you fall! What you should know in order to live safe in YOUR HOME Light your way to the bathroom What NOT to wear, while cooking Clear a path Take a few steps toward your safety Do you need a new carpet? Keep walkways in good repair Never leave your cooking unattended Prevent the spread of germs A good chef is a healthy chef Seniors are likely targets Don t panic
Bathroom Have a good night-light in your bathroom 5. The floor mat in your bathroom should have a slip-resistant backing. By placing towel racks close to the sink and tub, you are less likely to drip water on the floor. A bath seat and an adjustable shower head can provide stability for bathing. A raised toilet seat and grab bars make it easier to use the toilet. Use a long handled tub scrubber when cleaning the tub or shower walls to avoid bending and reaching. Kitchen Don t wear loose fitting clothes while cooking Consider sitting down to complete kitchen tasks. Avoid heavy lifting by resting large pots on the counter and filling with a cup. Use a slotted spoon, metal colander or wire basket to remove vegetables from hot water rather than lifting the pot to drain. Yes No I can plug all my appliances directly into a socket without using an extension cord. I use a sturdy step stool to reach high places. I store flammable liquids like gasoline and paint thinner away from the kitchen. Keep your emergency numbers beside each telephone, especially in the kitchen. 5. Keep a multi-purpose ABC rated fire extinguisher near an exit and in the kitchen. Know how to use it. Keep items you use the most, within easy reach.
Bedroom Keep walking areas clear of clutter, and well lit at night 5. Keep your emergency numbers by each telephone. Sit rather than stand to dress. Keep items you use often in easy-to-reach places. Prevent bedding and blankets from trailing on the floor. Get light sensitive night-lights that brighten when it gets dark in a room or hallway. Basement / Stairs You can take a few STEPS toward assuring your safety Avoid carrying large or heavy items. Keep one hand free to use the hand rail. Provide a night light in the stair area. Paint a contrast colour on the edge of the steps to make them easier to see. Yes No My basement stairs and entire basement are well lit. My basement floor is clear of clutter and tripping hazards. My stairs are in good repair and have a non-slippery surface I can easily get to the items I use most often. 5. Mount handrails on both sides of the stairway and extend handrails beyond the top and bottom steps to provide better stability. I have a phone in the basement or I take my cordless one. Have light switches at both the top and the bottom of all your stairs.
Floors Carpets with a low, tight pile are the safest Waxed floors can be very slippery and can lead to falls. Yes No All my area rugs and mats are secured to the floor. Keep floors in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, and entrances dry to avoid slips. Scatter rugs can be dangerous. Attach area rugs and runners with double sided carpet tape. My floor is in good repair with no missing tiles or uneven places. I use floor cleaner that does not leave a slippery residue. Wear appropriate footwear (slip resistant soles, low heels) and avoid wearing only socks on tile or wood floors. Entrances / Garage / Outside Keep walkways, in good repair Keep roof and eaves troughs over doorways free from snow, ice and leaves. Consider putting up motion detector lights to light up the path to your door. 5. 6. Keep all walkways, ramps and stairs free of wet leaves, snow and clutter. Keep a mixture of sand and salt for icy walk areas. Always wear shoes that have good treads. Fit your cane with an ice pick so it won t slip. Shovelling snow creates an increased demand on the heart and could cause a heart attack. Yes No I always lock my doors when I m at home, and when I m away. I have a chair or small bench at my entry way for putting on or removing footwear. I have someone else to shovel snow from my walkway.
Fire Never leave your cooking unattended, even when answering the phone People over the age of 65 are especially vulnerable to fires in the home. The three leading causes of home fire deaths for older adults are smoking, faulty or mis-used heating equipment and cooking. Smoke alarms greatly reduce the risk of dying in a home fire. They should be tested monthly and replaced every eight to ten years. Make sure all power cords are in good condition and avoid placing them where they could be damaged. Always know where your fire extinguisher is, on both floors, and how to use it properly. Yes No Unsafe cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires I have a working smoke alarm on all levels of my home including the basement. I do not wear loose sleeves, ribbons or ties when working around the stove. I never leave candles unattended. I have a fire escape plan and I have practiced it. I have a carbon monoxide alarm in my home. I keep space heaters at a safe distance from combustibles and are always unplugged when not in use.
Infection Control Prevent the spread of germs in your home Preventing and controlling the spread of infections in homes and through our services is an important part of your safety. Residents are at increased risk of getting infections by virtue of their age, immune status and other multiple health problems. Prevention is best because an infection causes illness that can affect the quality of life for residents and may also spread to others causing an outbreak. Wash or sanitize hands often and thoroughly If you are feeling ill, drink lots of fluids, STAY HOME, and rest. Food A good cook is a healthy cook Clean hands and surfaces before starting any cooking or food preparation. Always separate raw food from cooked food. This includes utencils and knives, when cooking and preparing to cook. Be sure to cook your food thoroughly. Especially poultry. Always keep your food cold before cooking it. Never leave food out too long. This will prevent the growth of bacteria. Yes No I always use a separate cutting board for meats and vegetables. I let food cool down before eating, especially if it was cooked in the microwave. I always sanitize my knives with soap and water after cutting raw meat.
Fraud Protection Seniors are likely targets for con-artists The three most common ways of fraud are telemarketing, home renovations, and phoney bank representatives. Never give out your credit card number over the phone. Internet based fraud is one of the fastest growing types of fraud. Never buy something you can t see, either over the phone or at your door. If it sounds too good to be true, it IS too good to be true! What to do if you fall! Try not to panic, rest for a moment If you are injured 5. DO NOT try to get up. GET HELP. Drag yourself to a phone. Call 911 and stay on the line. KEEP WARM. Use anything that is near: bedding, a coat, even a tablecloth. IF YOU ARE WET. If your bladder lets go in the fall, move away from the damp area to keep warm. MOVE YOUR LIMBS. Gently moving your arms and legs will help your circulation, and reduce pressure areas.
If you can get up... 1 2 3 Roll on to your side Push yourself up to a sitting position Turn onto your hands and knees Crawl to the nearest stable furniture Place your hands on the seat. 4 5 6 Place one foot flat on the floor Lean forward and push up with the other foot Sit, rest, then tell someone you have fallen
To learn more about our programs and services to help you stay safely in your own home please contact ESS at 416-243-0127. 2245 Lawrence Avenue West Etobicoke, ON M9P 3W3 416-243-0127 ESS Support Services wishes to acknowledge the original production of this pamphlet by CANES COMMUNITY CARE and thanks CANES for permission to reproduce and distribute it.