The Essential Eldercare Handbook for Nevada

Chapter Three: There’s No Place Like Home

27 c h a p t e r t h r e e • There’s No Place Like Home The goal of eldercare is to allow you or your loved ones to live safely, comfortably, and stress free in familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Lucy has lived in Elko, Nevada, all her life. She was baptized in the church she still attends. Her parents and siblings are buried in the church cemetery, and Lucy will tell anyone who listens that she intends to leave her house feet first and not a day before. Lucy has arthritis, kidney problems, and high blood pressure. She suffers in silence from incontinence, the one condition she has not shared with anyone. For all those like Lucy and those who care for them, following are some tips for helping your loved one stay at home as long as possible. Keeping the Home Safe Halls and Doorways • Make sure all rugs have nonskid backing and remove those that do not. • Keep pathways clear. • Get everything off the floor to avoid tripping. • Make sure all cords are out of the way. • Place furniture where it does not present a fall risk. • If possible, widen doorways so a walker or wheelchair will fit. See if removing a door completely might help. 28 The Essential Eldercare Handbook for Nevada Bathroom Safety Tips • Install grab bars in the shower and tub to avoid slips. If possible, install a grab bar next to the toilet or install a raised toilet seat. • Use a nonskid surface or rubber mat in the shower or bathtub. • Use a shower chair to reduce slips and install a handheld shower head if needed. • Install nightlights to guide the way to the bathroom as well as in the bathroom. Kitchen Safety Tips • Check the stove and change the handles if turning them is a problem. • Make sure the stove area is free of clutter. • Make sure the kitchen mat is nonskid. • If pots are too heavy, switch to lighter ones. • Rearrange shelves to avoid using ones that cannot be reached safely. • Use special arthritis-friendly implements, like jar and bottle openers or reachers. • If there is a stepstool, make sure it is steady. Do not use a stepstool with more than two steps. • If you or your loved one enjoys cooking, but standing is making cooking difficult, try a steady, high chair for taking frequent breaks. If you or your loved one does not enjoy cooking, think of using prepared meals. • If shopping is an issue, many of the big chain supermarkets provide food delivery service. Consider hiring home health caregivers to help with shopping and preparing meals. • If housebound through a temporary illness or a permanent condition , contact the local “Meals on Wheels” program. Low-cost meals are home delivered. • Make sure the smoke alarm is working in the kitchen area and throughout the home. There's No Place Like Home 29 Bedroom Safety Tips • Make sure the bedroom light can be turned on before entering the room. • A remote control device can make it easy to turn off an overhead light or fan without getting out of bed. • Make sure a lamp is within easy reach of the bedside. • Install nightlights to guide the way to the bathroom. • Install an automatic lift for the bed if necessary. Stair Tips • Make sure the banisters are sturdy. • Install a light switch at the top and at the bottom of the stairs. • Check the carpeting or install rubber treads on each step. • Install an automatic lift for stairs if necessary. The Cost of “Aging in Place” Many of the products we suggest are inexpensive and can easily be obtained at your local hardware or home improvement store. Another good way to get such items as jar openers and pill box dispensers is to attend a health fair. You will come home with many items that can be helpful around the house. Some of the more expensive devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and the like are covered by insurance with an accompanying prescription from a primary physician. If your loved one has had a hospital visit, the discharge planner can arrange for hospital beds, commodes, and other necessary medical equipment. The discharge planner can also arrange for home visits for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and home health for a few months. Check with your or your loved one’s insurance carrier to see what they...