Renovations to keep the elderly on their feet
September 21st 2008 01:04
As mobility is the main issue with elderly people, it is important to remove dangers that could lead to a fall. This seems like common sense, however Archicentre has undertaken a survey of 37,000 homes of older Victorians, of which 26 per cent of all homes inspected had slip and trip hazards. This represents an increase of 4 per cent on the last survey done in 2004.
Archicentre, which manages the Home Renovation Service for older Victorians is urging Victorians to utilise the free home inspections funded by the Victorian Government, through the Department of Human Services (DHS). This could help them identify and address any potential hazards.
“Falls among older Victorians accounted for the majority of home injuries in 2005, including 19 per cent of all deaths and 41 per cent of all hospital admissions*,” said David Hallett, General Manager of Archicentre. (Source: Monash University Accident Research Centre).
“The main causes of falls are slippery surfaces and uneven floors. But protruding door thresholds, loose rugs and carpet runners can also be hazardous, as well as tangled power and telephone cords.”
A flat, accessible site is ideal for older residents who gradually lose mobility or balance and risk injury, whilst attempting to negotiate uneven paving or steps. Reflective or brightly coloured space strips on stairs can help an elderly person negotiate stairs.
Weather protection between the garage and house will help reduce risks, such as carrying groceries in the rain over wet, slippery surfaces.
Sensor lights to external areas will shed some light on the back and front yards, and ensure a walk in the dark does not lead to a fall, or tripping over an obstacle. It also provides peace of mind for the elderly occupant, that the light will alert them to someone outside their house.
Extra hand rails outside around paths, the side of the house, and near steps will give a hand hold in case of a fall. Check the whole house for potential areas requiring handrails, for example in the laundry or hallway.
Interior colour schemes with good contrast helps people with diminishing eyesight identify doors, entranceways, and changed surface conditions.
Extra power points eliminate the tangle of loose extension leads that can cause unexpected falls. An extension lead organiser is another good option to keeping the cords out of the way.
Impact-absorbent floor surfaces to reduce potential falls. Concrete floors whether outside or inside can be covered in a mat or rug. Ensure the floor covering is fixed to the ground in some way, to prevent a trip over the loose edge. Similarly, any worn, torn, or loose carpet should be replaced.
Level entry showers. Many showers have a step to separate the shower recess from the rest of the bathroom. While this stops water from getting through the whole bathroom, this is a trip hazard for elderly people. Tiles can be laid to angle towards the drain and prevent flooding. In the shower, it is also important to have a non slip surface, whether this is in the form of rubber mats suctioned to the floor, or non slip tiles, with a rough surface. Some elderly people may benefit from a plastic chair in the shower, to rest on while washing. Ensure the chair is fixed to the floor in some way, so it too doesn’t slip. Finally, a grab rail in the shower will provide some balance to assist an elderly person in the shower.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the direct cost to the nation's health system to help people aged 65 years and over recover from falls was $566 million. It costs $555 a day to keep an older person in a Victorian hospital. The lifetime cost of fall injuries for Victorians aged 65 years and older is estimated at $199.3 million annually.
Mr Hallett said that older Victorians or their children who are concerned about their safety can organise a free home safety inspection funded by the Victorian Government to identify and provide a plan to fix danger spots in the home.
There are more than 930,000 Victorians aged 70 years or over and this number will reach 1.6 million over the next 20 years. This will further increase the need to monitor safety hazards in the home.
People aged over 65 years are at greatest risk of sustaining an injury from a fall. Australian and overseas studies of older people living at home have identified that approximately one in three people aged 65 years and over fall each year, with 10% having multiple falls and over 30% experiencing injuries requiring medical attention. The rate of falls and associated injuries is even higher for older people in residential aged care and acute care settings (Source: National Ageing Research Institute, 2004).
The free Home Safety Inspections are funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Human Services (DHS) for aged pensioners, veterans' affairs card holders and disabled persons. To access the service telephone (03) 9815 1900 or 1300 136 513.
The Victorian Government has a commitment to assisting seniors and those with disabilities to remain living independently within their own homes and community networks for as long as practicable. The Home Renovation Service was developed to deliver this assistance.
In 1998, the Department of Human Services (DHS) enlisted Archicentre Limited to extend the service and improve the lifestyle opportunities of Victorians. Since then, the Home Renovation Service has completed more than 38,000 inspections in nine years for Victorian homeowners (and tenants since 2006) who are 60 years of age and over and those who have a disability, or are caring for a person with a disability.
The free inspection is designed to help older Victorians remain living independently by identifying what works need to be done to make the home a healthy and safe place to live. A low-interest Home Renovation Loan of up to $25,000 is also available to carry out necessary repairs.
So to keep your elderly relative on their feet, make sure the home is altered accordingly. Being comfortable in their own home is important, and will help your peace of mind.
Information from Archicetre
| 40 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
