Safety issues for elders





http://www.cpsc.gov/nsn/seniors.html



Attorney Jim Shields concentrates on legal issues affecting the elderly. According to the Consumer Public Safety Commission, falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths among the elderly, adults aged 65 and older.

Falls are the leading cause of product-related injuries involving hospital emergency room visits. To prevent these accidental falls, the CPSC has put together a Neighborhood Safety Network of resources and checklists.

To help prevent falls the NSN suggests:

• When using stairs, always grip the handrails. Keep stairs well lighted.
• Keep floors cleared and slip resistant. Remove loose carpets, cords, and
other items that could cause a fall. Be sure all rugs, mats, and other surfaces
are non-skid.
• Install grab bars and slip-resistant surfaces in your bathroom.
• Use only stable step stools with a top handrail. Don’t climb alone – have
someone nearby to help.
• Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying down position.
• Be sure telephones and emergency numbers are easily accessible – so help is easily available.

One of the things that could contribute to falls is poor lighting. According to studies conducted by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), elderly people need more lighting as they get older to see properly. The AARP recommends letting as much natural light into the home as possible because it's free. They also suggest adding more incandescent lighting fixtures around the home and increasing the wattage of the light bulbs. Be sure that all walkways, stairs, and entrances have plenty of light. Motion sensor lights are helpful because they go on when someone gets close to the house, when it gets dark, or when someone makes a sound. This is good for preventing falls as well as discouraging thieves.

Use good lighting on all stairways inside and out by putting a light switch at the top and bottom of each staircase. Make sure the lights point right on the stairs and are bright enough to light the whole staircase. Night lights also prevent falls by keeping hallways and stairs well lit during the night.

The AARP recommends these books for additional information on how to make the home more accessible and safe for elderly people:

The LifeWise Home
Tour the LifeWise Home, a national demonstration project that features products and design techniques that help older people age in place.

Network of Care—a database of 19,000 assistive tools that can help you around the house.

Decorative Lighting Ideas & Projects
Better Homes and Gardens, Brian Kramer, Meredith Books, January 2003

Home Sweet Home: How to Help Older Adults Live Independently
Dennis R. La Buda, Vicki Schmall, L QualityLife Resources, November 2000

Elder House: Planning Your Best Home Ever
Adelaide Altman, Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2002

©2012 Elder Law Offices of Shields and Boris, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy
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