Do You Know Safety?
Do You Know Safety?
Did you know that many falls in the home can be preventable? Often, when a loved one or hospice patient falls it can be unrecoverable, but in truth it could have been avoided. We encourage you to keep reading to learn tips on how you can keep your loved one safe at home.
Communication:
As our loved ones begin to age they may not communicate the same. It is important to establish clear communication with your loved one. This can look like giving them a bell to ring, having a baby monitor, or a home alert system. Putting these things in place can alert you when your loved one has any needs or if they are trying to move around the home, when they should not.
Preventing Falls & Injuries:
Some of our loved ones may have diseases or disabilities that cause them to become bed bound, use mobility aids; such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair, and some may have poor vision. It is imperative that we check walkways frequently to ensure the patient can move around their home safely.
One may look into removing rugs and other clutter such as shoes or paper that can cause trips and falls. If your loved one does use a mobility aid it should remain at the bedside at all times to ensure easy access. Ensure they are physically able to move, from eyesight health, hearing, and potential medication side effects like dizziness. Many patients have hospital beds and its crucial to make sure bed rails are working appropriately. Helping them rise slowly from their bed or chair is a big help and if there are pets in the home, ensuring they are not in the way when the patient is trying to move around the home.
Medications:
Hospice patients often have varying amounts of medication and/or medical equipment. It is important to store all medications in a safe place. There should be a plan for administering medication and ensuring that your loved one has taken it. Oxygen takes should also be stored in safe areas and should never be around candles, gas stoves, or fire. It’s important to talk with your Transitions Hospice Care Nurse if medication is ever missing and to discuss an appropriate routine for administering.
Comfort Measures:
Hospice is all about keeping your loved ones comfortable. It’s important that our loved ones have access to everything that keeps them comfortable. Each person is different, but comfort could look like keeping glasses on the night stand along with their phone and/or television remote. Even having extra blankets or a fan that the patient can operate on their own. Of course, you know your loved one best and will know what helps to keep them comfortable.
To learn more about hospice care and how to ensure the safety and comfort of your loved one, feel free to contact us at Transitions Hospice Care. We're here to provide additional resources and support tailored to your specific needs.
