Ask The Experts- April 2020

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

I guess you would say that I am from the sandwich generation. I have a teenage daughter, but also my aging mother living who has just moved in with me. My mother moved in with me as she was not able to care for her apartment any longer.

The question I have is I want to prepare my home so she won’t injure herself by falling. Please give me some advice. Thank you.

Dolores

Dear Dolores,

You are such a kind person to be taking care of your mother as well as taking precautions to make your home a safer place for her. Most people don’t consider how dangerous things can be until there is an injury of some kind. It is important for you to have a conversation with your mother regarding her safety. Tell her that you want to make your home safe-proof to help her stay independent and safe.

Let me address the prevention of falls which is a leading cause of injuries and deaths. Here are some suggestions:

-Make sure you mother wears non slip shoes
-Remove any unstable furniture and replace with more stable furniture if necessary. Chairs and wobbly table when leaned on can pose a risk for falling.
-Make use that you have an adequate handrail on each side of your stairs
-Eliminate any clutter on stairways and hallways
-In the bathroom, make sure there is a non-slip mat on the floor and in the tub and shower
-Install grab bars along toilet and shower
-Install a night light in your bathroom
-Keep all items in the kitchen which you use often, low and within reach to avoid your mother to have to climb on ladders or stepstools
-Also, don’t forget outdoor safety. Take a look at your yard, and make sure there are no holes or roots which should potentially lead to a trip or fall.
-Provide an emergency contact list. Make sure these contact numbers and medical information are clearly visible.

So, we hope you will consider some of these things to accommodate your mother and help to reduce the likelihood of her sustaining an injury. These suggestions may help to increase her health, safety and even longevity.

Thank you for writing to Red Hot Mamas.