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November is National Home Care and Hospice Month and National Family Caregivers Month.
Here are 10 tips and reminders for maintaining a safe home environment if you or a loved one is recovering from an illness or requires a cane, walker or wheelchair.
1. Keep all electrical cords out of the way of traffic and replace any frayed or damaged cords.
2. Remove area and throw rugs or have all of the edges secured to help prevent falls.
3. Place bright night lights in hallways and rooms to ensure safe walking at night.
4. Place nonskid strips or a tub mat on the floor of the bathtub and shower.
5. Attach a hand-held shower head to make it easier to rinse if sitting on a chair while bathing or showering is required.
6. Take off bed frame wheels to prevent the bed from moving when you sit down.
7. Add a pillow to raise the height of chairs or couches to make it easier to stand up and sit down.
8. Ask nurses, physicians, or pharmacists any questions you may have about newly prescribed medications and review the literature provided with the medication.
9. Let physicians and nurses know about all medications you or your loved one is taking, even nonprescription ones, to avoid dangerous drug interactions.
10. Inform your local fire department that a patient is in the home.
“Patient safety is critical to delivering optimal healthcare at home,” said Lisa Bruni, interim director of Bayhealth Home Health Care Services, “and the tips outlined here exemplify some of the ways our home care team works with patients and their family members to help ensure the best possible care and experience for you as you stay safe at home.”
Visit bayhealth.org/home-health-care or call 302-744-7300 to learn more about Bayhealth Home Health Care Services.
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