Staying home for longer

Admitting you need some help may be difficult, but planning ahead and taking appropriate safety measures may be the best option long-term to make sure you stay at home. If possible, involve family members or friends, as it is always handy to get another person’s opinion.

There are people and services available, including friends, family and health professionals, who play an important role in understanding your needs and assisting you in your home as best as possible.

Friends and family are the first source of help for many seniors. Talk to the people close to you about what you need, and they may be able to help you personally, or point you in the direction of someone who can.

There may be services you need to access in person, but due to transport or mobility issues, may be difficult to get to. Discussing your situation with your bank, chemist, GP and other services may be beneficial as they can often tailor services to meet your needs, such as delivery of medications or home visits by your health professional.

There are many steps you can take to improve the safety and accessibility of your home, from safety-proofing to prevent falls, to identifying potential hazards and preparing for emergencies.

These will increase your odds of being able to stay in your own environment for longer.

There are many steps you can take to improve functionality and accessibility in and around the home, which can make a big difference when doing basic daily tasks.

Many of these include modifications in the kitchen, such as:

◆ Organising kitchen cupboards to place items within reach

◆ Clearly labelling and properly storing food

◆ Having appliances with simple push buttons, such as an oven or microwave

◆ Investing in modified appliances, such as an easy lift kettle

◆ Water temperature controls to lower risk of burns

Other measures may include:

◆ Having properly labelled medication in a convenient, visible place or in blister packs

◆ Rearranging furniture to clear pathways and create more space

◆ Installing light bulbs in darker areas, such as hallways and stairwells

◆ Replacing current light bulbs with brighter ones, to increase visibility during the night to read more

Making these changes will help lower the risk of accidents and make for a more functional home environment.

Many items throughout the home can lead to an increased risk of injury, from loose carpet to electrical cords and pet toys. Keeping pathways clear and free from clutter, as well as cleaning up any unnecessary items in rooms that may be obstructive, will help lower this risk.

Modifying parts of your home can increase mobility and functionality and even small modifications can make a big difference. These may include:

◆ Installing grab bars and handrails in the shower, toilet and staircase

◆ Putting down non-slip mats on slippery floor surfaces such as in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen

◆ Putting a suitable chair or stool in the shower if you’re finding it difficult to stand

◆ Installing a hand-held shower head for added convenience

◆ Changing the position of light switches to increase visibility and accessibility

◆ Changing locks on doors if they are difficult to use

◆ Installing safety screens to improve security and airflow

However, it is important to only access these modifications following a consult with your doctor or health specialist, as relying on these devices too early can negatively impact your long term mobility.

It’s not everyday that we think about preparing for emergencies but it’s important to be prepared if something unexpected happens. Whether it is a sudden illness or an unexpected event, such as loss of power or catastrophic weather like a flood or bushfire threatening your home.

Make sure you have a contact list of family members, health professionals and emergency numbers easily accessible, as well as any medications you’re taking and an overview of your medical history.

Store this information somewhere central and visible such as on the fridge or next to the phone. This will be useful across all types of emergencies and hazards, from a fall to more serious events. Being aware of emergency or evacuation information in advance for your local area will also help in times of crisis. If possible, speak with your family members or close friends about travel arrangements or meeting places in case of an evacuation in your local area.

Having a kit of essential items will help you prepare in times of emergency. This may include a disaster supplies kit with items such as water, food, flashlight and first aid.

If you have medications that you are required to take, having a supply in a bag or re-sealable container will make it an easy item to grab. Keep in mind that the type of emergencies you may need to prepare for vary depending on where you live.

Making your home a safe place and removing any hazards is important, but if you are not sure where to start or are not up to the task make sure you ask for help. You may wish to get a home safety assessment done by a health care professional, such as an occupational therapist or a registered nurse.

Assessments may involve the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HomeFAST) to measure falls risk for older people in their home.

This involves looking at passageways, floor surfaces, lighting, accessibility to bathroom and kitchen items, steps and footwear. You can use the tool yourself to help gauge the risks in your own home environment or for a loved one. Find out more at stopfallsathome.com.au.

There are a number of gadgets, devices and technologies that can help older Australians keep their independence and make life much simpler around the home.

These might include safety devices or personal alert systems that enable people to call for help in an emergency, whether that is due to illness, a fall, hazard or any event that requires a response.

These devices are especially handy for people who live alone or go long periods without social interaction. Many systems come with a help button that can be carried with you at all times, with some offering mobile and GPS tracking solutions as well.

Smartwatches can also offer similar safety functions, having the potential to help the elderly in their daily life in a variety of different ways. From instant calls and messaging, to an abundance of smartphone applications that can help with things such as medication reminders, cognitive stimulation through brain games, and GPS tracking.

“My stinging nettle tea is pretty amazing,” Juliet Porter enthuses. And if it tastes even half as good as her delightful kumquat marmalade, she’s not exaggerating.

The 82-year-old lives in her beloved home in regional Victoria which boasts a huge garden that is more like a miniurban farm than anything else.

Her garden has several vegetable patches – a few under netting to prevent the birds from getting at them, and an assortment of fruit trees.

To help her continue living safely and independently at home, tending the garden she loves, Juliet has a Government-funded Home Care Package through Uniting AgeWell. She has bought a number of mobility aids through her Home Care Package, including walkers, an electric bed and an electric armchair to keep her safe and comfortable in her home.

Other gadgets that have hit the market that may be beneficial to older Australians in their home are assistive technologies, which have voice-activated functions to control devices around the home, such as your TV, radio, lights and air conditioner, as well as being able to answer questions, read the daily news, tell you the weather, play music and set daily routines.

It’s also important to be aware of hazards that lay outside of your home, such as risks with online and phone security. Scams are prominent online, with websites and emails pretending to be legitimate companies requesting your personal details.

It’s good to be wary of any phone calls or emails that seem random or request a lot of your personal information. If you are unsure, contact any businesses you are associated with and report any scams you come across. to read more

With health issues affecting her mobility, Juliet has a personal carer come in three times a week, gets help around the house to keep it clean and tidy, and of course, has help for tending her beloved garden.

Juliet uses her walker to navigate around the garden she works in every day.

She points to a container with a lid near one of the veggie beds. “Look, this is where I store my witches brew,” she laughs.

Jokes aside, Juliet takes her food production very seriously.

She even plants according to the moon calendar. And whatever her magic touch is, it works.

There is always fresh fruit and veg for meals and plenty to be turned into delicious basil and tomato pesto and raspberry and blackberry pies! Being able to stay at home, where she can access the garden that brings her so much joy, is the most important benefit of home care for Juliet.

There also may be times when strangers ring your doorbell. While it may simply be the postman, a friendly neighbour or organisation selling goods and services, it can be someone who is dangerous.

If you feel uncomfortable answering the door, look out your window to see if you know the person or if they are in a company uniform, ask what they are there for, have a safety screen door you can lock installed, or simply ignore it. If you ever feel in danger call the police.

She can’t speak highly enough of her carers and lives safe in the knowledge that if her needs change her care provider will continue to support her with a tailor-made package that fits exactly what she needs.

Case study provided by Uniting AgeWell