Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I am not interested in moving out of my home! My children are encouraging me to consider moving to assisted living because I have fallen twice. I did not get hurt, yet they are alarmed. Any suggestions?
A. I commend your family for being concerned for you! I suggest having a little heart to heart conversation with them to share your desires to remain at home. There are many things you can do to create a safe environment in your home. Simple steps include taking inventory of your living space and making modifications. Modifications can run from costing absolutely nothing, to spending a bit more, depending on the modification. Letâs start with the âfreeâ changes you can make. Eliminate rugs. Yes, itâs that easy! Throw rugs can be disastrous to someone who has mobility or balance challenges. If you are using a walker, it makes it more difficult. Rugs have been known to cause falls. Next, make sure your hallways are well lit and clear of clutter. Removing âstuffâ that is in the walking path of a home can help reduce the risk of falling greatly. Other risky areas can be the shower. Your shower floor may need rubber strips on the bottom, but in addition, may need a seat or a grab bar. A portable seat may work just fine, but sometimes, people donât like the look of a temporary bench or seat. Making a permanent modification with a built in seat, makes the shower safe and it looks like it was built that way. Grab bars are excellent to help you maneuver in and out of the tub or shower. The variety available today are modern and donât look institutional. A word of caution, though: Make sure they are installed by a certified professional. The idea of a home modification is great, and you must be aware there are many companies that can do modifications. To ensure that you are working with a quality contractor, it is best to work with a credentialed company. A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist is a designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders. It differentiates companies that have had additional training to work with those wishing to age in place. For more general information, visit the US Department of Health and Human Services web site. Visit their page at: gero.usc.edu/nrcshhm/resources/fs_home_mod.pdf. Itâs all about helping people maintain independence so they can remain in their homes.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
