The holidays are near.  As we prepare and clean our homes for the holidays remember an important tip.  Don’t over polish your floors.  While a shiny floor can be pretty to look it, it can also make you fall.  So remember, leave the falling for the leaves, clean your floors but don’t’ polish it within an inch of its life!

This article was originally posted on December 21, 2009

Home safety is essential to successfully aging in place.  Home safety can take many forms, from preventing falls in the kitchen and bathroom, to preventing accidental fires.  As the holidays approach, we need to continue to pay close attention to home safety and fall prevention.  This time of year, we love decorating our homes for the season,  however, in our desire to be festive, we sometimes overlook safety issues.  The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that each year, 3,300 residential fires originate as a result of extension cords.  These fires kill an estimated 50 people and injure another 270.  The most frequent cause of these fires are overloading, short circuits, and/or misuse use of extension cords.

Important holiday safety decorating tips:

• When decorating, use a step stool/ladder, not a chair. If possible, get someone younger to help hang higher decorations
• When decorating your tree make sure you clear the pathway around the tree, moving  of boxes and extension cords If you have a real tree, don’t allow the water dry out
• Check your holiday lights before you put them on your tree, if they don’t work, don’t use them
• If bulbs on your lights are missing, replace them Use the right lights for the right area, some lights are just for indoors while others are for the outdoors, make sure yours are in the right place
• Don’t connect too many lights to one extension cord (no more than 3)
• The CPSC recommends that when disconnecting a cord you should pull the plug rather than the cord itself
• The CPSC recommends that you never use an extension cord while it’s coiled or looped. Also, you should never cover any part of an extension cord with newspapers, clothing, rugs, or any objects while the cord is in use.
• Unplug your tree before you go to bed and when you are not at home

Remember these important home safety decorating tips to make your holidays safer.  For more information, click here

Sources:  Consumer Product Safety Commission

Last Thursday was Fall Prevention Awareness Day.  This week we continue in our 2 part series on fall prevention and discuss the prevalence of falls among men and women.

Did you know that among the elderly population, falls occur more often among women who have one or more medical condition and live alone?  They are also typically taking more than one medication, which may increase the likelihood of dizziness and fainting among the group.  Risk factors for falls can be categorized in 2 ways:  those that occur inside the body, and those that occur in the environment.  Issues that occur within the body can include:

• arthritis
• muscle weakness
• hearing and vision impairments
• high/low blood pressure
• balance and postural deficits
• dizziness

Issues that are due to environmental factors can include:

• home safety hazards
• poor lighting
• loose fitting clothing
• cluttered walking paths
• placing items on stairs

In their April 2004 report, The Center for Health and Long Term Care Research, stated that research indicates that a “multidisciplinary” approach to fall prevention and risk management demonstrated the best results.  This means addressing issues that occur within the body as well as environmental factors.  This multidisciplinary approach includes a risk assessment either completed by a professional or the individual, a thorough medical evaluation by the individual’s physician and follow up interventions.

Source:  The American Geriatric Society (AGS) Fall Prevention Panel

Fall is just around the corner.  When you think of fall, you may think of the leaves changing, cooler weather, and hay rides, but this year also think about fall prevention.  Fall Prevention Awareness Day is September 23, 2010, the first day of fall.  This year 34 states are participating Falls Prevention Awareness Day.  The day is intended to promote and increase public awareness of reducing and preventing falls in older adults.  To continue to do our part in fall awareness and prevention in older adults, The Aging Suite will be featuring a two part series discuss important fall prevention information.

It’s estimated that 77% of falls occur in the home, with people tripping over items and falling on the stairs as being the top two causes of falls.  An April 2004 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy, and ABT Associates, Inc, stated that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in adults 65 and older.

Falls can result in injuries such as rib, hip and wrist fractures, decreased independence with everyday activities, fear of getting around one’s home, and even having to live outside the home with relatives or in a nursing home.    There are however, some simple things you can do to decrease the likelihood of falls in your home.  Some of these things include:

• Having a health care professional check your medications
• Assessing your home for safety risks
• Getting your vision checked annually
• Exercising regularly to maintain agility

For more information on aging, check out the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov

To read the April 2004 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy, and ABT Associates, Inc, check out this link

The ability to age in place is important to both baby boomers and seniors.  Key to aging in place is the ability to age safely and comfortably in one’s home.  Sometimes however, falls can prevent safely aging in place.

Tripping over items and falling on the stairs are the top two causes of falls in the home.  Also, as we age, we can develop arthritis and other conditions that make going up and down stairs more challenging.  This was the case for Karl Schwengel, a 79 year old retired business manager who lived in a two-story Capitol Hill townhouse.   As Karl got older, his health declined, resulting in difficulty getting up and down the 17 steps in his townhouse.  So two years ago, Karl decided to get a stair lift installed.

A survey by the National Association of Home Builders states that 79 percent of buyers 55 and older would prefer a one-story home.   However, census numbers indicate that most of the country’s homes are two or more stories.  So having to use stairs to access the home is common.  For some people in a two-story home, modifications can be made so that all necessities are on the main level.  However, this may not be an option for many people; in these cases people may have to consider the use of a stair lift or an elevator.

A stair lift that goes up one flight of stairs can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $10, 000 depending on if it’s a straight lift or if it has turns or needs further customization.  The plus to the lift is that it can be fairly reasonable to install. On the negative side,  some people consider stair lifts unattractive.  On the other hand, an elevator in the home can be more discrete but also more costly (a 3 stop elevator can cost between $20,000-$25,000).

If someone wants to age in their current home, planning ahead while you’re healthy is a crucial step in aging in place.  If you do have a two-or three story home, think ahead to what you may need to do to your home if you can’t access all floors.  Would a stair lift work for you, an elevator, or can you make modifications to the main level of your home that would allow you to live comfortably on that level if you had to?

Source:  The Washington Post

Picture Source:  Tornado Body Dryer

After Shower Safety and Privacy

Finished showering? Individuals with arthritis pain, balancing issues, or limited mobility and dexterity find it a challenge to towel dry. Contorting to reach their back and legs is frustrating, painful and a safety hazard.  Those who submit to assistance, suffer the loss of privacy and dignity.

Don’t reach for a towel or ask for an assistant. Instead, stay in your warm shower and simply activate the Tornado Body Dryer to be wrapped in a blanket of soothing, swirling, warm air that gently and completely dries you from head to toe.

– Also great for those with ultra-sensitive skin –

Benefits

*Dry the hard-to-reach areas   * Reduce chance of falling   * No more damp/smelly towels

* Reduce condensation & mildew   * Green: 70% less energy compared to towel usage * Safe to use with a wheelchair

* See www.tornadobodydryer.com FAQ’s for more info!

It  typically costs between $2 and $3,000 to buy and install a body dryer

The Aging Suite strives to provide people with information to help them age in place safely at home.  In keeping with our previous discussions on fall prevention, this week we’re highlighting various fall A Matter of Balance, a unique and effective fall prevention program.

A Matter of Balance is a nationally recognized fall prevention program developed by the Roybal Center at Boston University.  The program was designed with several purposes including: helping to reduce the fear of falling, stopping the fear of falling cycle, and improving the activity levels of older adults living in the community.  The program consists of eight classes, each 2 hours long, that are run by trained coaches.  Class size may range from 8-12 people.  Strategies incorporated into their sessions include group discussions, problem solving, exercises to improve strength, coordination, and balance, and a home safety evaluation.

A Matter of Balance also has good outcomes supporting their program.  After completing the program, participants demonstrated improvements with areas including their levels of fall control and fall management.  A Matter of Balance research indicates that after completing the classes:

• 98% of participants would recommend the program to others
• 97% felt they were more comfortable discussing the fear of falling
• 99% planned to continue exercising

To learn more about A Matter of Balance and states/organizations that currently offer this program click here.

Picture Source:  Maxi Aids.com

Do you get tired standing while showering in your tub/shower?  Or, do you have balance issues? Consider using a tub bench/shower chair.  They come in various shapes and sizes and with and without back support depending on your needs.  Tub/shower benches increase safety inside the bathtub/shower by allowing you to sit instead of stand while showering, which reduces the likelihood of falls.  They can be purchased at local medical supply companies and through websites such as, Sammons Preston.com ,  MaxiAids.com and RehabMart.com.  Prices can range from $60 to $200 depending on their features

Last week we talked about fall statistics and the intrinsic and environmental factors related to falls.  This week, we’ll be talking about the importance of medication management in fall prevention.  We’ll also discuss things you can do around your home to make it safer.  Medication Management

Taking multiple medications can cause dizziness and fainting.  Studies have shown that there is a link between medications used to treat depression in the elderly and the incidence of falls with subsequent fractures. Research has also indicated that taking the following increase fall risks:

• Cardiac drugs
• Digoxin
• Diuretics
• Psychotropic medications

Because many seniors take more than one medication and have more than one medical issue, it is really important that they have their medications reviewed by a healthcare professional to ensure medications don’t cause or contribute to falls.  Other simple things you can do around your home include:

In the Bathroom

• Use of ADA approved grab bars
• Use of a shower bench/tub
• Use of a hand held shower
• Use of a bathmat inside and outside the tub/shower

In the Kitchen

• Remove throw rugs
• Clear walking paths and doorways throughout the entire home
• Clean up spills immediately
• Don’t wax floors

On stairs

• Install lighting at top and bottom of stairs
• Make sure stairs are level
• Install handrails on both sides
• Remove items from steps

Source:  Center for Health and Long Term Care Research

Home safety is vital to aging in place.  Aging in Place is defined by the National Aging in place Council as the ability to continue to live in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.  Being able to live safely at home can contribute to our sense of self worth, being part of a community and provides us as well as our family members with peace of mind.  Because of its importance in aging in place, The Aging Suite will be doing a series this month on Home Safety.

Home safety encompasses a wide variety of areas.  Our series will focus on the various aspects of fall prevention.

Fall Statistics:

• Falls occur more often among women who have one or more medical condition and live alone
• Falls are the leading cause of Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• In adults 65 and older, falls are the cause of an estimated 60.7% of TBIs
• Direct medical costs related to falls in the population age 65 and older  is over $16.4 billion annually
• The CDC projects that by 2020, annual spending as a result of falls is expected to reach $54.9 billion
• 77% of falls occur in the home

Risk Factors for falls:

Include those that occur inside the body like,

• arthritis
• muscle weakness
• hearing and vision impairments
• high/low blood pressure
• balance problems
• dizziness

Issues that are due to environmental factors include:

• home safety hazards
• poor lighting
• loose fitting clothing
• cluttered walking paths
• placing items on stairs

Simple things you can do to prevent falls include:

• Having a health care professional check your medications
• Exercising regularly to maintain agility by using techniques such as Tai Chi
• Getting your eyes checked
• Getting a thorough home assessment performed by a trained professional

Join us next week as we continue our discussion on home safety.

Sources:  The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions A Systematic Review

Fight arthritis pain.org, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy, and ABT Associates CDC