Helpful Hints for Home Health

Home is a wonderful place to be! Please read the below hints to help keep you or your loved one safe and maximize your benefit from home health therapy services.

• Clearly mark your address on the outside of your home
• Consider containing enthusiastic or protective pets to help keep your therapist safe
• Keep a paper calendar handy for marking all home health and outside appointments to avoid missed visits

In addition:

General Safety Hints

A medical alert system or routinely scheduled phone calls once or twice a day in case of problems

Be sure to get up slowly and have your balance before walking after you have been sitting or lying down

Wear low heeled shoes that fit properly

Clear the home of tripping hazards such as phone cords, electrical cords, scatter rugs or throw rugs and clutter

Use carpet tape to secure the edges of area rugs

Clean up spills promptly and avoid slippery wax on floors

If a walker, cane or rollator are used, be sure they are the correct height; have your therapist measure this before returning home

Be sure rooms are well lit with easy access to light switches

Avoid standing on chairs or step ladders

Do not smoke in bed and use extreme caution when smoking if alone in the house. Avoid smoking when tired or sleepy

Be sure smoke detectors have working batteries in them and are located on all levels of the home

Keep a fire extinguisher handy near sources of flames

Handrails on steps need to be sturdy and ideally located on both sides of all stairways

Have  telephones easily accessible with frequently dialed numbers and emergency numbers either programmed into the phone or easily visible next to the phone

Bathroom Safety Hints

Use a nightlight(s) to illuminate the path to the bathroom and the bathroom itself

Use non-slip materials on the floor of the bath tub

Be sure to use all recommended bath aides such as grab bars and seats or benches

Use hand rails or raised toilet seats to make toilet transfers safer and easier

Mark the hot and cold water faucets clearly and have the hot water heater no hotter than 120ºF

Make sure door locks can be opened from both sides

Avoid bathing when alone in the home

Kitchen Safety Hints

Be sure appliances are in good working order with dials well marked

Use automatic shut off appliances when possible

Have kitchen area well lit

Keep floors clean with easy access to all areas and items used

Keep sharp items in a safe rack or block

Store heavy or frequently used items on counter tops to save energy and improve safety

Keep cleaning items separate from food items

Rotate food regularly and be sure to use before expiration dates

Avoid loose fitting clothes/sleeves when cooking, tie back long hair for safety

Bedroom Safety Hints

Be sure all walkways are clear of clutter and tripping hazards

Use a bedside lamp

Have a telephone easily accessible from the bed in case of an emergency

Keep all bedspreads/ blankets off of the floor to avoid tripping

Medication Safety Hints

Routinely review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist, especially when taking a new medicine

Clearly label all medicines

Be sure to read each medicine label in good lighting to ensure correct dose

Properly dispose of all unused or old medicines

Do not take another person’s prescription drugs

Use caution and check with your doctor or pharmacist about mixing your medications with alcohol

Use a clearly marked pill sorter box to ensure proper doses are taken routinely and accurately

Notify your doctor or pharmacist about any non-prescription drugs, supplements or vitamins/ herbal remedies you may be taking to avoid negative interactions