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1. >Data of Elderly Accidents | 2. >Elderly Home Safety Tips

1.1	Hong Kong Housing Society interviewed 554 elderly people who were 65 years old or above in May 2008. They found that about 20% of them had fallen down once or more during the past year. Among them, 6% had fallen down twice or more. This showed that the falling rate of the elderly was 29% (i.e. 100 elderly persons had fallen down for a total of 29 times in one year.)

1.2	According to the research by Christian Family Service Centre in December 2010, 15.3% of elderly would place newspaper and plastic bags near the cooking stoves. This will easily lead to fire, which is the biggest danger for elderly at home Secondly, about 15% of elderly have no handrails at the bedside. When they get up, they have to rely on unstable furniture for support. Besides, 13% of elderly do not use anti-slip floor pads and thus are susceptible to slipping. The research has also found that 22% of the interviewees had fallen down once during the past year and 36% had fallen down even twice or more.

Prevention of falling/ tripping

1.1 Bathroom

1. Always keep the floor dry:

Do not leave water or trace of soap on the floor. Do not place soap randomly to prevent elderly from falling.

2. Change bathtub to shower cubicle:

Avoid elderly from falling when getting in and out of the bathtub. “Shower board” can be placed in the shower cubicle.

3. Do not use towel rack for support:

Remind elderly not to use towel rack for support when getting in and out of the bathtub. Grab bars can be installed when needed.

4. Install grab bars:

Can install grab bars besides toilet bowl, shower cubicle and washing basin

5. Add anti-slip floor pads:

Use anti-slip floor pads instead of cloth in bathroom and shower cubicle

6. Place a stable plastic chair:

Always place a stable plastic chair for elderly to use when changing clothes, in order to prevent them from falling.

1.2 Bedroom

1. Install grab bars and bed fence, as
well as safety foot step:

These objects can help elderly to get off of bed and prevent them from falling.

2. Do not place any miscellaneous
objects below the bed:

Do not place any miscellaneous objects such as towels and carpets below the bed

1.3 Lighting system

1. Keep sufficient lights in indoors:

Install durable Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

2. Remind elderly to turn on lights when
moving at night:

This can prevent elderly from tripping over miscellaneous objects on the floor which they cannot see clearly.

3. Install bed lights at the bedside of
elderly:

The switch should be installed at the bedside so that elderly can turn on the light before getting off of bed

4. Install night lights/ corridor
lights/ foot lights:

Install night lights/ corridor lights/ foot lights at corridors and on the way to washroom so as to prevent elderly from tripping over when walking in dark

1.4 Floor/ Door threshold

1. Use non-slippery materials for the
floor:

Non-slippery materials can prevent elderly from slipping. Also, hire professionals to repair damaged floor as soon as possible

2. Avoid using unstable carpet or cloth:

To prevent elderly from slipping or tripping.

3. Door threshold should not be too high:

Door threshold should not be higher than 2 inches so as to prevent elderly from tripping when walking over it.

1.5 Clothing

1. Wear tight pants with elastic band:

This can prevent elderly from tripping. It is not suitable for them to wear pants that are too loose or too long.

2. Choose suitable shoes:

Shoes should be easily worn and have anti-slip effect.

1.6 Others

1. Tie up electrical wires and extension
units:

Electrical wires and extension units should be tied up properly. Place them near the wall to prevent elderly from tripping over.

2. Always keep the passage clear:

Always keep the passages and corridors clear. No obstruction with miscellaneous objects should be there.

3. Use sticks or walking-assisting tools:

If elderly have difficulty in walking, they should use sticks or other walking-assisting tools to reduce the chance of falling.

Prevention of scald/ burning

1. Do not place flammable objects near
the cooking stove:

Do not place flammable objects such as newspaper, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas tank and compression spray (e.g. pesticide, cleaner) near the cooking stove

2. Do not place cloths near the electric
heater:

Do not place clothes, cloths, miscellaneous objects, sofa and bedding near the electric heater. Moreover, time switch should be used to avoid over-heating of the electric heater.

3. Be careful of stove fire and ensure
safe cooking:

Elderly should use time switch to remind themselves of the time to turn off the cooking stove. Also, remind elderly to turn off the stove before leaving the flat or napping.

4. Be careful of boiling things or steams:

Spouts and pot handles should face inside to prevent elderly from suffering scald in case the hot liquids pour out.

5. Be careful of candles:

Burning candles should not be placed near curtains, papers, flammable furniture, etc to avoid fire break occurs.

6. Ensure sufficient sockets in rooms:

A single socket cannot connect with too many electrical appliances to avoid short circuit and fire break

7. Check electrical wires and electrical
appliances frequently:

Check frequently whether the external parts of electrical wires and the outer case of electrical appliances are damaged. Electrical wires should not be tied too tightly or contact with hot surface to avoid electricity leaks or fire break

8. Should not smoke on bed:

Remind elderly that cigarettes need to be put out completely before throwing them into rubbish bins. Also, the best way is not to smoke for better health.

Use suitable furniture/ equipment

1. Choose storage cabinets with proper
height:

Storage cabinets cannot be too tall or too short. It is the best for the top of the storage cabinet to reach the waist of elderly so that it is convenient for them to take goods. This can reduce the chance of hurting their back as they do not need to bend over.

2. Clothes should not be placed at high
places:

Elderly should avoid climbing and falling. Use clothes rod to assist taking clothes at high places.

3. Avoid stepping on folding chairs or
chairs with wheels:

Elderly should avoid climbing high. If they need to take things from high places, use stable and non-slippery short steps or ladder.

4. Better use round-cornered table or
add corner-bumpers:

To avoid bruises

5. Should not install too many door
locks:

If there is an accident, elderly can leave quickly and rescuers can enter the home easier.

6. Telephone should be placed at a
conspicuous place:

The phone should be placed at a conspicuous and convenient place for elderly. Choose phones with bright colors and large buttons.

7. The height of sockets should be
proper:

To avoid elderly from often bending their back.

8. Install firm window grilles:

Window grilles should be locked to prevent elderly from falling out of buildings

9. The height of toilet bowls should be
proper:

The height of the toilet bowls should be proper. It should be convenient for elderly to sit down and stand up so that they will not fall due to numbness of legs.

Principles for placing goods

1. Place common daily goods at a
convenient place:

Place common daily goods such as glasses, dentures, hearing aids, medicine, etc at a fixed and convenient place. Label the goods clearly for elderly to identify easily.

2. Clear up miscellaneous objects
regularly:

Throw away unnecessary objects regularly. Pack useful things into boxes or put them into cabinets.

3. Place common daily goods at the
middle layers of the cabinet:

Place common daily goods at the middle layers of the cabinet for the convenience of elderly. For safety, goods which are not in common use and lighter should be placed on the top layers while those heavier should be placed at the bottom layers.

Others

1. Store sharp tools properly:

Remind elderly not to put sharp tools on the table randomly. There should be a fixed place for storage of sharp knifes in the kitchen.

2. Use plastic containers:

Use plastic containers in the bathroom and kitchen. Avoid using glass containers which may hurt elderly when broken.

3. Do not put different kinds of medicine
into the same bottle:

To prevent elderly from taking wrong medicine or missing to take the required medicine

4. Do not do dangerous housework:

Should seek help from others for dangerous housework such as changing light bulbs or cleaning windows

5. Do exercise regularly:

To retain the muscle strength of elderly and to improve their balance ability and responsiveness

6. Eat balanced diet regularly:

Elderly should consume more dairy products, vegetables and fruits to take in more nutrients for healthy body..

7. Place important phone numbers of
family members, friends and other
persons at a conspicuous place:

Make it convenient for elderly to make emergency contact

8. Store some handy food with high
energy value at home:

Store some biscuits and noodles at home for elderly to eat when needed

9. Check the operation of the emergency alarm regularly