Council Targets Home Safety
WASHINGTON — Findings of a survey issued by Home Safety Council and conducted by Harris Interactive show that one in two caregivers admit there are additional actions that could be taken to make the home of the person they were caring for safer and 26 percent said that they worry about the reaction of the older adult as a primary reason for not taking these actions.
These findings, part of the council's June Home Safety Month campaign, polled adults currently providing care for a relative, in-law or friend who is 60 years or older.
"Each year more than 7,000 older adults die from incidents at home including falls, fires/burns and poisonings, which are almost entirely avoidable with proper education and some simple home modifications," said Dr. Angela Mickalide, director of education and outreach of the Home Safety Council. "As our population ages, more and more adults will need assistance. It is critical that caregivers have meaningful discussions with those that they care for and help fix potential home dangers to keep loved ones safe in and around their homes."
Additional findings suggest a substantial home safety awareness gap among caregivers. Many believe that their elder's home provides a safe environment, even though 48 percent also report that the person they care for has been injured within the home. Many of the reported injuries were serious, requiring an emergency room or hospital visit (40 percent) or hospital stay (21 percent).
"While safety can be a sensitive topic as we age, caregivers cannot ignore the fact that a home injury can be a life-altering experience, not only for those injured but for those who care for them," said Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy. "Basic home safety precautions can keep all family members safe and ultimately ensure more older adults continue to live independently for as long as possible in the home they love."
The Home Safety Council advises caregivers to apply the same safety practices in their own homes first so that safety improvements are not considered a consequence of aging. Nearly two in five (38 percent) caregivers surveyed reported that their loved one had experienced a fall at home. The survey also found that many critical falls prevention precautions are missing from many homes, including handrails on both sides of any stairway (62 percent), rugs secured by non-slip backing or adhesive tape (64 percent), and grab bars in the bath or shower (32 percent).
The following safety tips can help prevent falls:
- Protect stairs and steps with a secure banister or hand-rail on each side that extends the full length of the stairs.
- Keep all stairways, paths and walkways well lit.
- Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls, and use a non-slip mat or adhesive safety strips inside bathtubs and showers.
For more information on ways to avoid injuries in and around the home, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.
Source: Home Safety Council
This article originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of HME Business.