Safety 

Avoiding Falls

The number one action driving seniors from independence is a fall. Each year 1 in 4 older adults experience significant falls with approximately 50% of these occurring in their homes. With current trends and falls the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among older adults, we can expect 7 fall deaths every hour by 2030. (CDC). 

Most of this section addresses the controllable issues of modifying homes to avoid falls, but the following articles are also important to address underlying medical conditions that may also be causing falls.

• Preventing Falls in Aging Adults - https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/falls-topic/
• 8 Things to check after a person falls - https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/8-things-to-check-after-fall-in-aging/

Personal Emergency Response Service

Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital offers a Medical Alert Program- using the Guardian System (781) 756-4752- To call for help, you simply press the personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. The personal help button activates a small, in-home communicator that automatically dials the Medical Guardian Response Center. 200 Unicorn Park Dr., Suite 401, Woburn, MA  01801 

LifeLine (855) 596-7310 With 24/7/365 help available at the press of a button, you'll have peace of mind with our easy-to-use medical alert systems. To call for help, you simply press the personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. The personal help button activates a small, in-home communicator that automatically dials the Lifeline Response Center., https://www.lifeline.com/

Lively (866) 829-4527 Our all-in-one medical alert gets help at the touch of a button. Fastest call response time*, Enhanced GPS, Long-lasting battery, Waterproof, Fall Detection available, Confirm device status with Health Check button FSA/HSA/HRA eligible More Info $47.99 Regularly $79.99Offer Details. Plus, monthly plan, activation fee and taxes. Includes free shipping.

Fast Help (866) 964-3375- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Button-FastHelp® is the sleek new 4G medical alert device that instantly connects you with free unlimited help anytime, anywhere nationwide where cell service is available with no monthly bills ever. Get access to help at the push of a button with no monthly bills ever and all in a compact, lightweight and user friendly unit.NO Activation Fees! NO Service Contracts! NO Deposits & No Monthly Bills! $149, Plus, S&H, originally $299. Limited Time Offer, 30 Day Money Back Offer-   866-964-3375, https://buyfasthelp.com/

Be Safer at Home (866) 513-7377 Giving you and your loved one’s peace of mind. Offering Medical Alert System, Cellular Base Station, Mobile Alert System, and Fall Detector Options. Medical alarm systems offer a range of solutions for keeping you safe wherever you are. www.besaferathome.com

Massachusetts General Brigham (978) 236-1525 Any time you need help – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – a PERS system is there. Press your Personal Help Button if you’ve fallen and you are not sure if you’re seriously injured or if you just need some help getting back on your feet. Your Response Associate will quickly determine what you need, whether it’s assistance from a neighbor or emergency response services. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org (Search Hospitals/Services/Specialties and Healthcare at Home, Healthcare Technology)

Medication Dispensing (800) 910-4225- you manage your medications without worry or confusion. An alarm alerts you when it’s time for medication, so you never miss a dose. 

Staar Alert- WellAware Care (800) 338-7114- STAAR Alert uses Vayyar Care’s wall 

mounted fall detection sensor to accurately detect falls in real time. This combined with an under-the-mattress bed sensor provides 24/7 touchless monitoring of sleep patterns and in and out of bed activity. www.staaralert.com

Safety Plans & Home Modification   

Aging in place typically requires creating a safe environment and conducting a space risk assessment.  Nine of 10 homes do not have modification in their home to support safe aging in place.  According to the CDC modifying the home can reduce fall risks by up to 40%.  Several organizations are available to conduct these assessments, but the Winchester Council on Aging recommends looking to Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy organizations, such as Healthy Aging Physical Therapy to work with you and or your loved ones to develop a personalized plan that helps you proactively and cost effectively create safe, functional and personalized living spaces where you can age in place. 

• Most common fall hazards: poor lighting, loose rugs, clutter, changes in flooring materials, activities in the bathroom and bedroom. 
• Fall prevention preparations: Exercise, health management, balance training, and home modifications. 
• Modifications: Depending on living arrangements there are certain modifications that can make a home safer to reduce the risk of falls. Here are some simple tips. 
  • How to Modify Your Home for Safety with Tips on Equipment and Strategies for Today!,  Lean more
  • AARP HomeFit Guide - LINK 

***Tip - “Home safety evaluations should be collaborative, client-centered and customized.  A professional should not be entering your home with a one-size fits all prescriptive approach, but rather should take time to get to know you and what challenges you are facing.  They should take a problem-solving based approach, that takes into account a client’s values, activities and roles.” - Shannon Hardy, OTR/L,Healthy Aging 

Quick ideas: 

• Keep frequently used items within easy reach. 
• Rug Tape - “Rug Grip” Yellow Tape 
• Anti Slip Tread to Steps (also adds contrast for visual cues) 
•  Install handrails on both sides of stairs or install a chair lift 
•  Clear clutter and arrange furniture so there’s room to walk 
• Get rid of loose rugs and keep electrical cords out of the way in tubs - AmazonSticky tread that can be applied 
• Raised Toilet Seats (elevator) with handles on either sides 
• Shower Chair (In case you’re fatigued in the shower 
• Hand held shower mounted to wall with easy bin for shampoo and conditioner 
• Put rubber bands around shampoo and conditioner so you know which is which. 
• Use nightlights and motion detection lights. especially where you are walking at night in between spaces. 
• Bed rails can really help getting in and out of bed. 
• Add risers to chairs to make it easier to get up and down from furniture or add a cushion 
• Purchase a couch cane to make it easier to get up from a chair. 
• Have an organizational sleeve on the couch so you can always find remote. 
• In kitchen always use armed chairs 
• Electric tea kettles that tilt more easily if it’s too heavy. 
• Sock grabbers 
• Rolling carts for laundry, soap pods vs big jug soap 
• Mirror on top of laundry to make it easier to see if there is something inside of top load washer... 🙂 
• Wall holder for hair dryer if you can’t raise hands above from shoulder injury. 
• Sub out elastic shoe laces 
• Button hook in case you have arthritis or snap clothes instead of buttoms. 
• Auto food and water dispenser for pets. 
• Leg loop to help get your left leg into the car 
• Hook to pull down the seatbelt 

In Home Safety, Home Enhancements, Safety Assessments and Installation and Repair

Healthy Aging Physical Therapy

Support at Home: Providing strategies and resources to enhance home environments and promote independence.

katie@healthyagingpt.com     phone: (617) 398 – 4508    fax: (781) 262-3337

Home of Mine:

Need equipment? Need a home modification? Need a safety assessment? Need home based fitness training? Need private physical or occupational therapy? Need your current rehab program supplemented? Don’t quite know what you need but are worried about your loved one? WE CAN HELP!

100 Powder Mill Rd, Suite 176, Acton, MA 01720    phone: 978-431-0015 E-mail: info@homeofmine.org

Minuteman Senior Services 

Provides a number of programs to help keep you living at home independently, longer. Including homecare, meals on wheels, information and referral, caregiver programs, and so much more.

www.minutemansenior.org phone: 781-272-7177

Natale CO & Safety Care: 

Address: 9 3rd Rd, Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: (781) 933-7205

Natale Company & SafetyCare is a fully licensed Construction Contractor specializing in residential, commercial and institutional accessible projects.  They offer installation of and delivery of durable equipment- Some of the more popular items include grab bars, handrails,. They also offer repair services- When existing equipment needs to be serviced or fixed we are there to help you out. We can repair brakes, batteries, and/or wheels on most rollators, wheelchairs, scooters as well as remotes on lift chairs - even if you did not purchase the product originally from us.

Next Day Access- Wheelchair Ramps, Stairlifts, Grab Bars, & More. Free estimates & Quality Service. Next Day Access provides safe & professional accessibility solutions throughout the entire home. Phone: 617-969-7267. Email: Davidg@nextdayaccess.com Website: www.nextdayaccess.com 

Medicare does not pay for Home Modification Equipment, such as stair lifts. They do pay for chair lift mechanism, but not the furniture. Go to www.Medicare.gov for a list of Medicare Approved DME Suppliers or call phone:  800-633-4227(1-800-Medicare)

If you have Medicaid, this might be helpful:

Medicaid may pay a portion of stairlift costs, but coverage will vary by state. A licensed healthcare professional must designate the stairlift as medically necessary. The good news is that you might be able to get financial assistance via the Home and Community-Based Services  (HCBS) program https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/index.html offered through Medicaid. HCBS allows Medicaid members to receive health services in their homes rather than institutions or outside settings. If you apply and are approved, you will receive a waiver to pay for a stairlift and the cost of installation.

Massachusetts has a Home Modification Loan Program that Suzanne Norton at Jenks is probably familiar with.

https://www.mass.gov/home-modification-loan-program-hmlp

Email: sgillam@cedac.org  Phone: 1-866-500-5599    Cell: 857-939-7227

Minuteman Senior Services at 800-439-2370 www.minutemansenior.org

Stannah – The Stairlift People- 888-386-6298

www.Stannah-Stairlifts.com/Safe-At-Home   

Stairlifts and Ramps- 866-549-8893- new- pre-owned -rentals

www.StairliftHeadquarters.com

Staar Alert - Fall Detection Technology (through Vayyar) Wall mounted fall detectors scan the room 24/7 and will alert you of a fall with – in minutes of it occurring. No Cameras, No Wearables, No Buttons phone: 781-862-3300https://www.staaralert.com/medical-alert-system