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Safe at home? Not always, but there are ways you can minimize the risks By Leslie Feldman As Dorothy repeated in The Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home. But, for seniors, the home can be where injuries occur. Changes that are part of the normal aging process — such as declining vision, hearing, sense of touch or smell, and bone density — can increase the risk of injury. Injuries can be a real problem because, as we age, it takes longer to heal and recover. Each year, more than 734,000 people over 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with stairs, bathtubs, furniture, carpeting and other products we live with every day. Thousands of these injuries are related to falls — 3,000 seniors each year fall while standing on chairs, 6,800 trip on rugs or carpet runners. By taking some simple measures, you can reduce your risk of being injured at home. It’s a matter of knowing what the potential hazards are, taking precautions and making adjustments. Suggestions from PCA The home can usually be made safer with minimal effort and cost, says Lois Rosage, an occupational therapist who conducts home-safety assessments for Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Her assessment includes a health history, a walk-through evaluation of the home and recommendations for adaptations to the home to make it a safer place to live. “Falls in the bathroom are most frequent with our seniors because floors are so slippery,” she says. “There is nothing more valuable than properly installed grab bars by the side wall and faucet in the shower, as well as in front of the toilet. Shower chairs are also a good recommendation, along with non-skid strips on the floor of the tub or shower. These can all be purchased at home improvement stores, and installed by a professional carpenter or handyman.” Proper lighting is very important, Rosage adds, but quite often overlooked by the homeowner. “Seniors concerned about electric bills may use improper wattage, so lighting is not at full capacity, and they may not be able to see well enough and can fall,” she comments. “In addition, electrical cords can be hazardous when stretched across rooms and can cause seniors to trip on them and fall. They need to be out of pathways, but never under the rug.” JEVS program helps The Jewish Employment and Vocational Service (JEVS) Supports for Independence Program provides free home assessments and modifications to help low-income seniors with visual and other impairments remain safe at home. Simple changes — such as motion-sensor lighting, large print and talking clocks and watches, talking reminders for medical needs, and magnifying lamps — can all make a big difference in safety. For more information on JEVS Supports for Independence: 267-298-1300. Inspecting your home and taking action to prevent home injuries can help you to live comfortably and safely for many years to come.