Home Care Safety for the Caregiver

Improving support and safety throughout the home:

• Have smoke detectors installed near kitchen and bedrooms

• Have safety rails in showers and tubs

• Install handrails up stairs and in bathrooms

• Use non-slip flooring in kitchens and bathrooms

• Remove any loose rugs

• Move furniture around to create less confusion

• Remove any dangling telephone cords

• Mirrors can distort the loved one�s view when walking, and should not be placed where they can easily be bumped into

Ways to correct visibility and lighting problems:

• Use bright, vivid colors to light up rooms

• Make sure hallways and stairways are well lit

• Lighted switch plates make finding switches at night easier

• Have night lights in between bedrooms and bathrooms

• Use easily reached cords that can turn a light on and off in closets

• Basements should be very well lit considering the steepness of stairs going up and down

Methods to improve movement and sight throughout the house:

• Use rails in beds to support movement getting in and out of bed

• Use lever handle door knobs instead of circular knobs

• Use a flexible shower head and a chair for your loved one to sit on when bathing

• If they are wheelchair bound, have a ramp installed that can be used to get them up the front steps or stairways

• Use large button telephones

• Clocks should be large enough with both numbers and dials easily seen

• A commode near their bed can be used in emergencies

• Shelving in closets should sit low enough for easy access

• Place a raised toilet seat in their bathroom 

• Chairs need to sit high enough and be supported by arm rests so there is some security when they sit

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