BATHROOM SAFETY: Decrease the Risk of Falls in the Bathroom
- Reprinted with permission from the Napa County Public Authority In-Home Supportive Services 'A Hand at Home' Newsletter for IHSS Recipients and Providers Volume 1, No. 2 Fall 2003
Falls in the home account for 80 percent of all deaths in the elderly, and most such falls occur in the bathroom. Two-thirds of these fall-related deaths, according to the US Public Health service, are preventable. Here are a few safety tips.
Remove any loose rugs or bathmats. Bathmats should have slip-resistant backing.
Place towel racks close to the sink to prevent water dripping on the floor.
Create a 21-inch clear walkway space in front of the sink. By eliminating scatter rugs, open cabinet doors and other obstacles, space is created for elderly or disabled using walkers or wheelchairs to have unobstructed access to the sink.
Hang a magnifying glass on a hook near the sink so that prescriptions can easily and accurately be read.
Install a nightlight. Fumbling in the dark can be dangerous. Look for night lights that turn on automatically when it becomes dark, or when they detect movement.
Have an easy to use flashlight in the bathroom in case of a power outage, or to help if something drops into a corner.
Color contrast the towels and light switches.
Make sure electrical appliances are a safe distance from any water source.
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TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
- As reprinted with permission from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Caregivers' Handbook
Caring for another person is the most difficult responsibility you will ever have. While many rewards come with caregiving, there are sacrifices, and demands may be high.
Because caregiving can be overwhelming, it’s important to pace yourself. It’s often difficult to know how long you’ll need to provide care, or if your job will become more demanding over time. This job doesn't’t come with a job description!
Caring for your own needs is as important as taking care of the other person. If you are sick, or if you become physically or mentally exhausted, you can’t care for someone else.
Common Feelings
It’s normal for caregivers to feel sad or discouraged from time to time. Ignoring these feelings won’t make them go away; it may even make them grow stronger.
If you feel sad
Include some pleasant activities in your daily schedule. It can lift your spirits to listen to favorite music, spend a few moments enjoying the garden, or talk on the phone with a supportive friend.
If you feel discouraged
Take one day at a time. Try to stay flexible and accept the things you can’t change.
If you feel afraid
Talk to someone about the worst thing that could happen and plan what you would do. Planning for the future will help reduce your fears about the “what ifs?”
If you feel angry
Take a break and leave the situation if possible. A quick walk can help defuse your feelings. If you can’t leave, stop and take a few deep deliberate breaths. It really does help! Focus your anger on the condition, not the person you care for.
If you feel guilty
Give yourself credit for what you do well. Be realistic about what’s possible and what isn’t. Focus on one thing you want to do better and be specific. “If only I could make her eat” won’t be as helpful as “I will slow down and make mealtimes more pleasant.”
Finally, take care of yourself.
Talk to someone who can help you look at things more objectively, perhaps a friend, a fellow caregiver, or a professional counselor.
Keep yourself physically and mentally healthy
Make sure you eat a healthy diet and get some form of exercise as often as possible. A brisk walk is a sure way to relieve stress.
Be honest with friends and family about your needs.
Take a break.
Schedule time away on a regular basis. To maintain your own emotional and physical health it is absolutely necessary to get relief from your caregiving role.
Get enough rest.
If the person is awake at night and it’s impossible for you to get a full night’s sleep, you may need to consider in- home help during the night or an overnight respite stay (see page 7 on respite programs). Lack of sleep for the caregiver is one of the most common reasons someone enters a nursing home.
Eat well.
A good diet will give you more energy. Even one diet improvement can make a big difference over a year’s time. (See the nutrition section on page 40.)
Protect yourself against infection.
Wear disposable latex gloves if you will have contact with a body fluid.
Be kind to yourself.
Give yourself credit for the things you do well. Treat yourself to a small present when you’re feeling low. Take time for a long, hot bath.
The Importance of Exercise for You
No one is too out- of- shape, too tired, or too busy to benefit from a regular exercise program. We often hear about the benefits......
Lose weight! Feel good! Sleep better! Prevent osteoporosis! Prevent heart disease! Reduce stress!... and they’re all true.
If you have excuses, “I’ve never exercised before,” “My knees and feet hurt too much,” or “I don’t have time,” do yourself a favor. In as little as 10 minutes a day, and as few as three days a week, the right exercise will help you feel better, sleep better, reduce stress, and enjoy life more.
Some general guidelines when you exercise
Try an exercise video.
Look for videos for beginners. Avoid starting with programs that include jumping and twisting. Instead, try videos for stretching, muscle toning, or relaxation.
A note of caution: Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Check out exercise classes offered through community centers, gyms and senior centers.
Look into yoga, tai chi or other non- traditional exercise programs. They are a great way to improve flexibility, muscle tone and relaxation. Call your community swimming pools about adult swim times or water exercise classes. Many pools offer classes just for seniors or others who want a slower pace.
Dance your way to better health.
Square dancing, ballroom or folk dancing are excellent ways to increase your endurance and improve your balance.
If you think you need help to find the right exercise program, ask your doctor for advice.
Look Into Respite Programs in Your Community
Adult Day Centers can give you a regularly scheduled break.
Available in many communities, these centers provide social programs and meals. Some provide transportation for adults who need supervised activities. Participants can attend 1 or 2 days a week, or even daily, depending on the individual program.
Overnight respite stays may be possible.
Some nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living communities offer overnight stays for up to two weeks at a time.
Find out about care in your home.
If the person can’t attend a day center, respite care in the home may be available from trained aides.
Managing Stress
Ask for and accept help.
Set limits and let others know what they are.
Make sure you have realistic goals and expectations.
Don’t expect to keep a perfect house or entertain the way you did before you took on a caregiving role. Holidays may need to be simplified and you can divide up responsibilities between other family members.
Humor is often the best medicine.
Rent a movie or watch a TV program that makes you laugh. Read a funny book. Humor can work wonders for relieving stress.
Find support
through understanding friends, support groups or a professional counselor.
Avoid difficult people
for example, friends who are overly critical.
Learn what helps you relieve stress.
Some ideas are deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, writing in a journal, or a walk. Try closing your eyes; imagine yourself in a beautiful place surrounded by your favorite things.
Make a list of your own stress relievers.
Keep it in a handy place and use it!
How Do You Know if You Need Professional Help?
Danger signals may be:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you are carrying too great a burden. Consider professional counseling or talk to your doctor about your feelings. Your doctor may recommend a counselor, or you can contact your local hospital, Mental Health Department, or the Yellow Pages to find a psychologist, social worker, counselor, or other mental health professional.
Support Groups
Even if you’ve never belonged to a support group before, consider finding a support group for caregivers, or one that is specific to your situation. For instance, there are groups for people with strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, AIDS and many others.
For many caregivers, support groups offer a chance to share feelings honestly, without having to be strong or put up a brave front for the family. Even if you’re “not the type” to share your feelings with people you don’t know, you will learn from other members of the group, people who’ve “been there” and may be going through the same adjustments. Call your local hospital or crisis hotline to find out about support groups in your area. Every group is different, so if the first group you attend doesn’t appeal to you, try a different group. No one understands as well as a fellow caregiver.
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