Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Safety begins at home and one thing that we can do to help make life safer is to conduct a mini safety audit as this will increase awareness of many of the factors that are important and contribute to safe living. This is not an all-inclusive list of areas of concern but provides a starting point to address safety in the home.
Mini Safe Living Assessment
Safety Risk factors: Circle each risk factor and score each YES as one point. This tool measures the need for modification to the living environment and may also be evidence of a need for more supportive services such as a need to move into a senior housing community. The questions cover both the physical environment and the senior’s ability to live safely in that environment as it is at the present time
Do you have difficulty with any of the following activities in your daily life?
- Getting from the garage, the back yard or from the street to the door? Yes or No
- Opening outside or inside doors? Yes or No
- Using the stairs? Yes or No
- Moving from one room to another? Yes or No
- Working at the sink or using the faucets? Yes or No
- Working at the kitchen counter? Yes or No
- Safely using appliances? (in meal preparation) Yes or No
- Stepping in and out of the bath tub or shower? Yes or No
- Using tub faucets or shower controls? Yes or No
- Using the toilet? Yes or No
- In getting into and out of bed, a chair or sofa? Yes or No
- Reaching clothes, coats, shoes or other items in closets? Yes or No
- Doing the laundry? Yes or No
- Getting to the telephone on time? Yes or No
- Identifying visitors or hearing the door bell? Yes or No
Some specific factors that may indicate an unsafe environment
- Spoiled or outdated food in refrigerator? Yes or No
- Improper use of medicines and chemicals? Yes or No
- Unopened mail? Yes or No
- Unnecessary clutter in living space or unsanitary conditions evidence of rodents or other pests? Yes or No
- Smoke detectors or carbon monoxide unit not properly placed or not operating? Yes or No
- Handrails and grab bars not in place in bathroom areas and by stair areas? Yes or No
- Doors entrances, locks, steps, stairways and walkways not in safe condition or in improper operating condition? Yes or No
- Floor surfaces unsafe and not non-slip (area rugs)? Yes or No
- Appliances in kitchen and or bathroom not in good repair (using old electric blankets or heating pads)? Yes or No
- Electrical outlets and switches overloaded or not in good repair (frayed electrical cords)? Yes or No
- Damaged walls and or broken household items (indicating falls and or items dropped” Yes or No
- Burn marks from unattended smoking? Yes or No
- Hot water heater temperature set over 120 degrees? Yes or No
- Smell or see evidence of mold or water problems)? Yes or No
- Water stained ceilings or water stains in basement or other areas (tub or sink overflows)? Yes or No
- The smell of natural gas on the premises or other strong odors? Yes or No
Total Possible Score 31 . . . . . . . Actual Score __
Always contact your physician with any health or medical concerns as this assessment is not intended to be used for medical purposes and does not assess the hygiene and or personal care aspects of safety.
Ed Heigl, executive director Crestview Senior Living, Crestwood, has worked in the senior housing industry for more than over 30 years.
Comments
janeisme (anonymous) says...
Excellant article Ed. Thanks for putting this questionaire together. We found it very helpful. We got 10 points. So, we have a lot to work on.
March 10, 2010 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )