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When a person suffers an injury that confines him or her to a wheelchair, crutches, or even a bed on a permanent basis, normal tasks suddenly become impossible or far more difficult than before. Home care near Carlsbad is important for someone who is no longer able to get around the house safely, but there are a few changes that caregivers should make in order to reduce the risk of further injury.
Accessibility for Carlsbad Disabled Individuals
You may not realize how many things become unreachable when you are forced to remain in a sitting position. Kitchen cabinets, closet shelves, bathroom medicine cabinets, and other storage areas are too high to reach. Rearranging these spaces or replacing them with floor-level furniture can bring items back within reach. Light switches may need to be lowered on the wall (an easy task for an electrician), and wired phones should probably be replaced by more portable cell phones that can stay on a senior’s person in case of emergency. A service that provides Carlsbad in-home caregivers can fill in the remaining needs by taking care of tasks that are still out of reach.
Safe Surfaces
The average home has many features that form obstacles to handicapped seniors. Any stairs, even a simple step up to a porch, are impossible for a wheelchair to navigate and create danger for walkers and crutches. Thin carpets are the best choice for these pieces of equipment as well; thick carpet can trip or catch them. Lips and edging between different flooring surfaces, such as linoleum and carpet, should be made as smooth as possible to eliminate a tripping hazard. If your San Diego County caregivers provider agency washes floors as part of its service, it should be careful not to leave any wet, slippery surfaces behind.
Lighting
Dim lighting is dangerous for a senior that is handicapped. Obstacles become invisible, making it easy for an elderly person to trip over or run into them. An important first step is to replace dim bulbs with brighter ones, but additional light sources may need to be installed as well.
These are just some of the ways that you can make a home safer for an elderly loved one who has become handicapped. You will certainly discover more changes that need to be made along the way, but a good Carlsbad private duty agency can help you anticipate them and keep your loved ones safe.
Originally posted 2012-03-22 10:30:55.