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HOME SAFETY

The bathroom is a place in the home where some people like to go and relax at the same time the bathroom can be the most dangerous room in the house. Safety in the bathroom is a must for our Geriatric community. The elderly are at high risk for injury due to medications and limited mobility (Walker 2014). The daily task of bathing and getting ready for your daily routine can be a chore. Stepping into tubs, inadequate lighting, loose rugs can all be potentially hazard. Having proper equipment in the bathroom can make it somewhat easier for those daily activities (Carevich,2014).

Lowering the water temperature to below 120 degrees is ideal to keep from scolding injuries. High temperatures can lead to burns. Older adults may not feel the heat from the water due to thinner skin, medications and neurological damage, and or a medical condition (Walker, 2014).

HOME SAFETY

Thousands of elderly fall every year and over four hundred drown in tubs. Some medications can cause hypotension, and dizziness which contribute to falls (Walker, 2014). Bathroom grab bars can be installed temporarily or permanently. Grab bars can help stable someone getting in and out of tub or someone moving about in the tub (no author, 2014).

HOME SAFETY

Shower benches in tubs or showers are a great addition. Someone can sit on the while bathing this helps prevent from slipping or losing balance. The bench can be used as a sliding board getting in and out of the tub, Two feet of the bench will be in the tub and two feet will be out of the tub and the person would slide himself to the edge of the bench and get out of the tub (no author, 2014).

HOME SAFETY

Safety rails on the toilet can help with being steady getting up and down from toilet. This can also help with standing on front of toilet. The person may still need assisting while using the safety rails (no author, 2014).

HOME SAFETY

Walk in showers and tubs are flush to the floor. There is no step to step over this can contribute to falls. Someone with an unsteady balance would benefit from this (Carevich, D 2014). Walk in bath with hydrotherapy can be used as a tax deduction. If you are a Veteran you can get a discount. Installation is usually within a couple days (Disabled Bathing, no date).

HOME SAFETY

HOME SAFE

TYSome other dangers in the

bathroom are:• Loose rugs

• Faulty equipment

• No supervision

• Inadequate lighting

• Not have stability in the tub.

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LOOSE RUGS

Loose rugs can trip someone causing them to fall and cause injury. In 2012 over 2 million non fatal falls were treated in emergency rooms. Direct medical cost of these injuries 30 billion. Thirty percent of these injuries were severe. These injuries increase the loss of independence and not to mention an early death. Over 95% 0f hip fractures are caused by falls (CDC, 2014). Falls can be prevented. Having non skid rugs on floors that can become wet. These rugs can be purchased at your local department stores or local home improvement stores. Non slip rugs can be purchased between ten and twenty dollars.

FAULTY EQUIPMENT

Faulty equipment needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Loose grab bars, heating elements, blown light bulbs, leaks that may cover flooring, not having ground fault receptacles can also be hazardous. Sometimes your local Department of Family and Children Services will help low income families do home repairs that are in need.

STABILITY IN THE TUB.

Getting in and out of the tub can be a challenge for some. One can slip and fall in the shower having to move about, reaching for soaps and shampoos, reaching down to bath. Non slip decals can be placed in the bottom of the tubs or showers to help with stability. These can be purchased at your local home improvement stores for under $7.00.

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCEThis is an online database that provides information to all state and local

government assistance programs to help with home repairs. Osceola County has Department of Family and Children Services help low income families who qualify for help with home repairs (CFDA, 2014).

REFERENCES Carevich, D. (2014). Aging care.com. Senior-Friendly Home Additions to Help Adults Age in Place.

Retrieved October 15, 2014 from; http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/home-additions-to-help-adults-age-in-place-165731.htm

CDC (2014). Home and recreational safety. Falls Among Older Adults. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html

CFDA (2014). Programs. Programs at a Glance. Retrieved October 15, 2104 from: https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=main&mode=list&tab=list

Disabled Bathing (no date). Premier Care in Bathing. Retrieved October 15, 2014 from:http://disabledbathing.com/

No author (2014). Caring for aging parents.com Bathroom Products for the Elderly. Retrieved October 14, 2014 from: http://www.caring-for-aging-parents.com/products-for-the-elderly-bathroom.html

Walker, D., (2014). Griswold Homecare. 6 Bathroom Safety Tips for The Elderly. Retrieved October 15, 2014 from: http://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/bathroom-safety-tips-elderly/