Keeping Expanding Senior Population Safe at Home
Senior Fall Safety at Home – Checklist for Home Fall Prevention
by William Burleson on 09/09/10
FALLS AT HOME – Simple steps you can take!!!!!
Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. Falls are a leading cause of fatalities in older adults. Annually there are approximately 370,000 hip fractures. Falls are the major cause of 40% of nursing home admissions and subsequent costs to families. Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. This checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home.
Caregivers often ask for a checklist to review with seniors and their families. The checklist asks about hazards found in each room of your home. For each hazard, the checklist tells you how to fix the problem. At the end of the checklist, you’ll find other tips for preventing falls.
FLOORS: Look at the floor in each room.
Q: When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture?
Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is clear.
Q: Do you have throw rugs on the floor?
Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip.
Q: Are there papers, books, towels, shoes, magazines, boxes, blankets, or other objects on the floor?
Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor.
Q: Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)?
Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet.
STAIRS AND STEPS: Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home.
Q: Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs?
Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep objects off stairs.
Q: Are some steps broken or uneven?
Fix loose or uneven steps.
Q: Are you missing a light over the stairway?
Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Q: Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)?
Have an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.
Q: Has the stairway light bulb burned out?
Have a friend or family member change the light bulb.
Q: Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn?
Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs.
Q: Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs?
Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs.
KITCHEN: Look at your kitchen and eating area.
Q: Are the things you use often on high shelves?
Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist level).
Q: Is your step stool unsteady?
If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.
BATHROOMS: Look at all your bathrooms.
Q: Is the tub or shower floor slippery?
Put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
Q: Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or up from the toilet?
Have a carpenter put grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.
BEDROOMS: Look at all your bedrooms.
Q: Is the light near the bed hard to reach?
Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.
Q: Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark?
Put in a night-light so you can see where you’re walking. Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark.
Other Things You Can Do to Prevent Falls
Exercise regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves your balance and coordination.
Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy.
Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.
Get up slowly after you sit or lie down.
Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.
Improve the lighting in your home. Put in brighter light bulbs. Florescent bulbs are bright and cost less to use.
It’s safest to have uniform lighting in a room. Add lighting to dark areas. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.
Paint a contrasting color on the top edge of all steps so you can see the stairs better. For example, use a light color paint on dark wood.
Other Safety Tips
Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone.
Place mats in areas of the home like bathrooms and kitchens where surfaces are often wet
Utilize hip protection if you are unstable or prone to falls due to medications
Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can’t get up.
Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and can’t get up
This is to announce a tremendous saving in lives and medical costs of over 100 billion dollars yearly. Most of these savings can be achieved by reducing the risk of falls and protecting against the effect of falls particularly in the population now approaching 55 and above. New personal use technologies that are relatively unknown to some in the medical field and more often the public can easily eliminate these useless injuries and death.. National Center for Patient Safety recently recommended the use of these new approaches. We are receiving numerous requests to offer this information to the general public and we are willing to perform this public service.
The President of Medical Nurse Training, Mr. Devaney is available to speak to these new technologies and education for your program. Medical Nurse Training is the premier on line portal for accredited training of nurses and doctors utilizing a nationally known Geriatric Doctor, the Assistant Director of Nursing at Johns Hopkins and Patrick Devaney who has over 25 years experience lecturing on these topic to tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities. Anyone who is above the age of 55 or has a relative, who is at risk for falls, is confused or agitated, has Alzheimer’s, or presents elopement risks at home will be very interested in this new material.
Mr. Devaney’s mother died as the result of an unnecessary hip fracture. This loss could have easily been prevented with one of these new devices or education techniques. Numerous lives have already been saved with these clinically proven devices.
Over 44 million baby boomers live at home with an elderly sick parent according to The Caring Alliance. Another 25 million at risk elderly live alone and unprotected from devastating falls. The current economic conditions have exacerbated these numbers. Since life expectancy has continued to increase this situation is likely to become even more prevalent. The faller may need to move in with adult children and adult children often have to take time off work to care for at risk parents. The costs emotionally and physically to the person who falls and their families is enormous.
Additionally, we have partnered with the leading manufacturers of these low cost medical technologies to provide these devices predominately available only through hospitals and nursing homes to the general public at an institutional prices. By going to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com you can get a broad overview of the types of programs we offer to the medical community and review our blogs. We would welcome a discussion of how your program and listeners/viewers will greatly benefit from this information. This piece will be of interest to most if not all. These medically sound approaches will eventually get attention and will reduce government costs in the Billions of dollars over the next few years. You can also review clinical references on this site. Thank you for reviewing this important material. We look forward to working with you for the appearance on your program.
Medical Nurse Training provides the latest on-line training to Doctors and Nurses on fall prevention and protection. This includes in-house education on devices that will reduce injury from falls and related deaths and on-line education for those concerned about falls at home.
Hip Protectors – High Impact – absorbing pads that help protect hip bones against injury from falls. About 320,000 people suffer a hip fracture every year. These pads are built into brief’s, panties, sweat pants and sweat shorts. They can easily be laundered and re-used numerous times to help protect from falls. The use of these devices has been clinically proven to reduce injury. Many individuals that experience a fall are afraid to continue normal activities like walking. These devices help these people resume a normal life. Hip Fracture is one of the number one causes of death in older individuals. Our experience shows that hip protectors are generally not known by the general public
Fall and Home Exit Alarms – Inexpensive bed and chair exit electronic monitors otherwise known as Fall Alarms, assist with the observation of patients and family members to help reduce falls and the potential for elopement from home or a facility. A variety of sensor accessories may be used including toileting sensors, bed/chair sensors, infrared sensors and self releasing sensors may be attached to the monitor to reduce risk. These alarms include a gentle voice reminder not to get up without assistance. Many of these devices are unknown to the general public. Pendants to call caregivers when help is needed are also very useful.
Floor Cushions and Bath Mats – Certain areas of the home are very high risk for injury from falls like the bathroom. Special floor cushions and bath mats are designed to help reduce the impact from a fall and are frequently talked about in the clinical literature. These floor cushions are tri-fold in design, making them convenient to carry to areas requiring the most immediate protection. Bathrooms are also very high risk zones. The sure step bath mat can be used to significantly reduce the impact of a fall. The mat is impervious to water and bacterial growth and can be custom cut to fit the contours of any bathroom or floor.
Please go to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com for more information on these programs and devices.
Medical Nurse Training and Safer Falls announce the development of new sites designed to encompass all the needs of Seniors, Families and Caregivers in the Eldercare Environment.
by William Burleson on 08/20/10
Our research shows there is a lot of fragmented information available for seniors, their families and caregivers. We are in the final stages of introducing an all in one resource site for all these groups to come together. A virtual library and resource center for these groups is essential. Over 20 million baby boomers now have senior family members living at home. We have received numerous requests from this group and others to put together a site that provides an on line resource for all the communities in this arena.
This new site will offer much of the same information already found at www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com with many of the additional features listed below.
- Live on-line consultation with experts in the field
- Twitter like apps to communicate with fellow seniors/families and caregivers
- New technologies to increase safety, security, and medical efficacy
- Video, Book, Amazon and YouTube library both free and for purchase
- Click on - free education videos
- Community forum’s that allow members to blog and share ideas
- Speak Out chat
- Legal Issues chat and resource center
- Reference links to all approved senior sites and lifestyle resources
- Charitable site contribution and links to valuable resource sites
- Featured sites and senior care products
- Monthly newsletter from the latest research in Geriatrics and other experts
- Phone number and web site directories for seniors and eldercare caregivers
- Senior social networking
- Medical information tailored to important new research
- Valuable savings on our senior coupons link
- Direct linking to AARP
In short you will have it all. We invite you to go to our current sites with your ideas and suggestions. What are your needs? We will be launching soon so your thoughts are welcome!!! We are building this site for you. This is a fun time to be 55 plus and this site will be full of the lifestyle features you suggest. 75 is the new 35 WOW!!!
Some of the current site information includes:
*Training for eldercare, senior, acute care, long term care and geriatric caregivers
*Training in fall prevention, fall protection, bed safety, home safety and security
*Informative blogs on all the issues above
*Products that promote home safety, reductions in fatalities, comfort, security, skin integrity and in home and institutional medical integrity.
*Links to important sites.
*Current devices to avoid hip fractures, reduce falls; minimize the risks of wandering, ambulating seniors and much more.
Some Addition Statistics and Information relevant to our current sites includes;
l Annually there are approximately 370,000 hip fractures.
l Falls are the major cause of 40% of nursing home admissions and subsequent costs to families.
l Per year, of those admitted to a hospital only about 50% will survive a serious fall.
l Old age sets in with the first fall, mortality with the second.
l Falls are the leading cause of accidental death.
l More than 33% of adults 65 and older fall each year.
l Of those who fall 20 to 30% suffer severe injuries.
l The
l Research shows that more than a third of all older adults fall each year and 10-20% of falls cause serious injuries such as fractures or head traumas. (Stevens, 2005)
l Injury from a fall is the 4th major cause of death in older adults.
l Costs include hospital and nursing home care, doctors and other professional services, rehabilitation, community services, medical equipment, medications, changes that need to be made to the home and insurance processing. (CDC, 2005)
l The cost emotionally and physically to the person who fell and their families is enormous as well.
l The faller may need to move in with adult children, adult children may need to take time off of work to care for their parent.
l In short, many lives can be forever changed by a severe fall. The quality of their life may never return to its pre-fall state.
l Recurrent falls are a common reason for admission of previously independent elderly persons to long-term care institutions.
l Fear of falling and the post fall anxiety syndrome are also well recognized as negative consequences of falls.
The President of Medical Nurse Training, Mr. Devaney is available to speak to the new technologies and education for your program or for home utilization. Medical Nurse Training is the premier portal for training nurses and doctors utilizing a nationally known Geriatric Doctor, the Assistant Director of Nursing at Johns Hopkins and Patrick Devaney who has over 25 years experience lecturing on these topic to tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities. Anyone who is above the age of 55 or has a relative, who is at risk for falls, is confused or agitated, has Alzheimer’s, or presents elopement risks at home will be very interested in this new material. This information will be invaluable to seniors and their families.
Mr. Devaney's mother died as the result of an unnecessary hip fracture. This loss could have easily been prevented with one of these new devices or education techniques. Numerous lives have already been saved with these clinically proven devices.
SaferFalls.com Contributes to Senior and Elder Care Organizations
by William Burleson on 08/05/10
Date: 8-5-2010
Author: William Burleson
SaferFalls.com and MedicalNurseTraining.com is giving back to our caregiver partners, eldercare partners, seniors, and their families. We will be contributing FIVE PERCENT (5%) of all purchases of our fall prevention training programs and fall protection products to the senior and caregiver programs of your choice. There is a broad list of these reputable sites available on our partner links on our home page at www.SaferFalls.com. You may contact us to have your organization added to these partners. We are including links that will guide you to general information on each site for your review.
This is to announce a tremendous saving in lives and medical costs of over $100 billion dollars annually. Most of these savings can be achieved by reducing the risk of falls and protecting against the effect of falls particularly in the population now approaching 55 and above. New personal use technologies that are relatively unknown to some in the medical field, and more often the public, can easily eliminate these useless injuries and death.
The President of Medical Nurse Training, Mr. Devaney is available to speak to these new technologies and education for your program. Medical Nurse Training is the premier on line portal for accredited training of nurses and doctors utilizing a nationally known Geriatric Doctor, the Assistant Director of Nursing at Johns Hopkins and Patrick Devaney who has over 25 years experience lecturing on these topic to tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities. Patrick Devaney continues; "Anyone who is above the age of 55 or has a relative, who is at risk for falls, is confused or agitated, has Alzheimer’s, or presents elopement risks at home will be very interested in this new material."
Mr. Devaney's mother died as the result of an unnecessary hip fracture. This loss could have easily been prevented with one of these new devices or education techniques. Numerous lives have already been saved with these clinically proven devices.
"Over 44 million baby boomers live at home with an elderly sick parent." According to The Caring Alliance. "Another 25 million at risk elderly live alone and unprotected from devastating falls." The current economic conditions have exacerbated these numbers. Since life expectancy has continued to increase this situation is likely to become even more prevalent. The faller may need to move in with adult children and adult children often have to take time off work to care for at risk parents. The costs emotionally and physically to the person who falls and their families is enormous.
Additionally, Medical Nurse Training, Inc; has partnered with the leading manufacturers of these low cost medical technologies to provide these devices predominately available only through hospitals and nursing homes to the general public at an institutional prices.
By going to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com you can get a broad overview of the types of programs that is offered to the medical community and review current blogs. Medical Nurse Training also welcomes discussions on how your programs alike can greatly benefit from this information. These medically sound approaches will eventually get attention and will reduce government costs in the Billions of dollars over the next few years. You can also review clinical references on this site.
Medical Nurse Training provides the latest on-line training to Doctors and Nurses on fall prevention and protection. This includes in-house education on devices that will reduce injury from falls and related deaths and on-line education for those concerned about falls at home.
Hip Protectors - High Impact - absorbing pads that help protect hip bones against injury from falls. About 320,000 people suffer a hip fracture every year. These pads are built into briefs, panties, sweat pants and sweat shorts. They can easily be laundered and re-used numerous times to help protect from falls. The use of these devices has been clinically proven to reduce injury. Many individuals that experience a fall are afraid to continue normal activities like walking. These devices help these people resume a normal life. Hip Fracture is one of the number one causes of death in older individuals. Our experience shows that hip protectors are generally not known by the general public
Fall and Home Exit Alarms - Inexpensive bed and chair exit electronic monitors otherwise known as Fall Alarms, assist with the observation of patients and family members to help reduce falls and the potential for elopement from home or a facility. A variety of sensor accessories may be used including toileting sensors, bed/chair sensors, infrared sensors and self releasing sensors may be attached to the monitor to reduce risk. These alarms include a gentle voice reminder not to get up without assistance. Many of these devices are unknown to the general public. Pendants to call caregivers when help is needed are also very useful.
Floor Cushions and Bath Mats - Certain areas of the home are very high risk for injury from falls like the bathroom. Special floor cushions and bath mats are designed to help reduce the impact from a fall and are frequently talked about in the clinical literature. These floor cushions are tri-fold in design, making them convenient to carry to areas requiring the most immediate protection. Bathrooms are also very high risk zones. The sure step bath mat can be used to significantly reduce the impact of a fall. The mat is impervious to water and bacterial growth and can be custom cut to fit the contours of any bathroom or floor.
Visit www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com for more information on these programs and devices.
New Resources for Seniors, Families and Caregivers from Medical Nurse Training and SaferFalls.com
by William Burleson on 08/02/10
Author: William Burleson
Medical Nurse Training and SaferFalls.com have expanded the resources available to visitors to our sites. These valuable links will assist seniors, their family’s and caregivers to quickly go to resources that are commonly a source of questions. We are currently updating our sites, adding companies and tools to assist in the reduction and prevention of sores, preventing and reducing pressure wounds, comfort seating, wondering devices and medical personal alarms. We currently have a broad range of educational tools and devices for senior fall prevention, senior fall protection and acute care and geriatric falls education. Our goal is to be the one stop resource site for these important life saving issues.
The focus of this blog is to call attention to the risk of falls and new solutions in both education and technologies. To receive all the information available you can go to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that over 60% of fatal falls occur in the home. Additionally the total cost of falls in 2010 is expected to be between 68 and 100 Billion Dollars.
Most of this cost and loss of life is completely preventable through new fall prevention, fall protection and safer falls education. Many of these medically significant events include hip fracture, head injury, fear of falling again, broken vertebrae and broken wrist. Much of this information is virtually unknown to the general public.
Over 44 million baby boomers live at home with an elderly sick parent according to The Caring Alliance. Another 25 million at risk elderly live alone and unprotected from devastating falls. The current economic conditions have exacerbated these numbers. Since life expectancy has continued to increase this situation is likely to become even more prevalent. The faller may need to move in with adult children and adult children often have to take time off work to care for at risk parents. The costs emotionally and physically to the person who falls and their families is enormous.
l Annually there are approximately 370,000 hip fractures.
l Falls are the major cause of 40% of nursing home admissions and subsequent costs to families.
l Per year, of those admitted to a hospital only about 50 % will survive a serious fall.
l Old age sets in with the first fall, mortality with the second.
l Falls are the leading cause of accidental death.
l More than 33% of adults 65 and older fall each year.
l Of those who fall 20 to 30% suffer severe injuries.
l The U. S. life expectancy increased from 75.5 years in 1993 to 77.6 years in 2003. These changes have resulted in a U. S. population with a greater proportion of older adults who are living with chronic disease, leaving them at great risk for falling and less likely to survive the injuries resulting from a fall. (CDC, 2005)
l Research shows that more than a third of all older adults fall each year and 10-20% of falls cause serious injuries such as fractures or head traumas. (Stevens, 2005)
l Injury from a fall is the 4th major cause of death in older adults.
l Costs include hospital and nursing home care, doctors and other professional services, rehabilitation, community services, medical equipment, medications, changes that need to be made to the home and insurance processing. (CDC, 2005)
l The cost emotionally and physically to the person who fell and their families is enormous as well.
l The faller may need to move in with adult children, adult children may need to take time off of work to care for their parent.
l In short, many lives can be forever changed by a severe fall. The quality of their life may never return to its pre-fall state.
l Recurrent falls are a common reason for admission of previously independent elderly persons to long-term care institutions.
l Fear of falling and the post fall anxiety syndrome are also well recognized as negative consequences of falls.
l The loss of self-confidence to ambulate safely can result in self-imposed functional limitations. (Brown, 1999)
The President of Medical Nurse Training, Mr. Devaney is available to speak to the new technologies and education for your program or for home utilization. Medical Nurse Training is the premier portal for training nurses and doctors utilizing a nationally known Geriatric Doctor, the Assistant Director of Nursing at Johns Hopkins and Patrick Devaney who has over 25 years experience lecturing on these topic to tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities. Anyone who is above the age of 55 or has a relative, who is at risk for falls, is confused or agitated, has Alzheimer’s, or presents elopement risks at home will be very interested in this new material. This information will be invaluable to seniors and their families.
Mr. Devaney's mother died as the result of an unnecessary hip fracture. This loss could have easily been prevented with one of these new devices or education techniques. Numerous lives have already been saved with these clinically proven devices.
Additionally, we have partnered with the leading manufacturers of these low cost fall prevention technologies to provide these fall products predominately available only through hospitals and nursing homes to the general public at institutional prices.
By going to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com you can get a broad overview of the types of programs we offer to the medical community, families, seniors and review our educational materials. We would welcome a discussion of how your family or your program and listeners/viewers will greatly benefit from this information. This piece will be of interest to most if not all. These medically sound approaches will eventually get attention and will reduce government costs in the Billions of dollars over the next few years.
You can also review clinical references on this site. Thank you for reviewing this important material. We look forward to working with you for the appearance on your program.
Medical Nurse Training provides the latest on-line training to Doctors and Nurses on fall prevention and protection. This includes in-house education on devices that will reduce injury from falls and related deaths and on-line education for those concerned about falls at home.
Hip Protectors - High Impact - absorbing pads that help protect hip bones against injury from falls. About 320,000 people suffer a hip fracture every year. These pads are built into briefs, panties, sweat pants and sweat shorts. They can easily be laundered and re-used numerous times to help protect from falls. The use of these devices has been clinically proven to reduce fall injuries. Many individuals that experience a fall are afraid to continue normal activities like walking. These devices help these people resume a normal life. Hip Fracture is one of the number one causes of death in older individuals. Our experience shows that hip protectors are generally not known by the general public
Fall Alarms - Inexpensive bed and chair exit electronic monitors otherwise known as Fall Alarms, assist with the observation of patients and family members to help reduce falls and the potential for elopement from home or a facility. A variety of sensor accessories may be used including toileting sensors, bed/chair sensors, infrared sensors and self releasing sensors may be attached to the monitor to reduce risk. These alarms include a gentle voice reminder not to get up without assistance. Pendants to call caregivers when help is needed are also very useful.
Floor Cushions and Bath Mats - Certain areas of the home are very high risk for injury from falls like the bathroom. Special floor cushions and bath mats are designed to help reduce the impact from a fall and are frequently talked about in the clinical literature. These floor cushions are tri-fold in design, making them convenient to carry to areas requiring the most immediate protection.
Bathrooms are also very high risk zones. The sure step bath mat can be used to significantly reduce the impact of a fall. The mat is impervious to water and bacterial growth and can be custom cut to fit the contours of any bathroom or floor.
Please go to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.com for more information on these programs and devices
Keeping Expanding Senior Population Safe at Home
by William Burleson on 07/08/10
Medical Nurse Training Inc. is partnering with numerous caregiver groups to improve outcomes for seniors living in these difficult situations. This includes a consumer site, www.saferfalls.com, a wholesale provider of new technologies like fall and wandering devices to prevent these devastating events. Inexpensive monitors that alert family and caregivers when a senior is exiting a bed, leaving a room or the home, are particularly valuable. These alarms include a gentle voice reminder not to get up without assistance. Many of these devices are unknown to the general public. Pendants to call caregivers when help is needed are also very useful. Numerous other medical devices like hip protectors have proven to be an effective way to significantly reduce deadly hip fractures.
There are many serious new concerns with the aging population having a preference for independent living. These include the potential for life threatening falls, wondering from a home or independent living facility and safety within the home. This extends to caregivers who undergo increased stress and worry associated with these potential threats to their patient or family member.
Many injuries at home occur during the activities of bathing and toileting. Bathroom safety is an area where new technology can really help. This will include bacteriostatic bath mats that reduce hip fractures and head injury. Toileting alarms alert the caregiver when toileting is complete and have proven very effective in the rehabilitation and home care setting. Training for caregivers and a review of these proven devices is provided by these sites.
Over 44 million baby boomers live at home with an elderly sick parent according to The Caring
By going to www.MedicalNurseTraining.com and www.SaferFalls.comyou can get a broad overview of the types of programs offered to the medical community, to seniors’ families, and review informative blogs. Discussions regarding how your program, facility, and family will greatly benefit from this information are encouraged. These medically sound approaches have gotten legislative attention and will reduce government costs by an estimated $100 billion per year. Medical Nurse Training encourages the entire Senior Community to view clinical references, ask questions, and will even offer one on one consultation, available at www.MedicalNurseTraining.com.
