Identifying Hazards in the home

• Remove loose rugs, as they are a tripping hazard
• Make sure the stair carpet is securely fixed
• Remove any clutter from the walk ways and stair areas throughout the home
• Make sure that lighting is adequate, consider installing long life light bulbs to avoid future problems
• Look at the layout of the furniture in the house, re arrange where it makes it easier to manouvere
• If you do not have storage next to the seat the person favours - install some - it is best to have easy to reach things like newspapers and knitting rather than putting them on the floor - it can be too hard to bend that far.
• Place electrical items near the power points to avoid long cords - these are tripping hazards

What you can do to improve facilities in the home

• Install hand rails in the bathroom areas
• Install hand rails along the walkways throughout the home if stability is an issue.
• Consider using over toilet aids and shower stools to assist with everyday cleansing - this will increase independancy for the user
• When wearing footwear ensure it is sensible and fits well
• Where needed use mobility aids to assist in manouvering about the home
• Look at stair lifts - they may make climbing the stairs less of a chore.
• Install LIfts Chairs so getting up from sitting position is not so hard

Bathroom

The bathroom area of the home can be a hazard in itself, these are some of the things that can happen

• Water spills - create a slippiing hazard
• Steamy environment can make the patient dizzy 

If a fall occurs in the bathroom - the person could be blocking the doorway - which means that help cannot access the person easily

Some other good solutions are: 

• Hand Rails and Shower Seats will help with the stability and balance problems
• Installing a reverse swing door will assist with any potential falling occurances
• Remove the lock so that the door can never be locked - which locks any potential help out.