Living SMART: Five Essential Skills To Change Your Health Habits Forever

Excerpts from the Book

Cruise Travel Safety Tips

One of the advantages of cruise travel is its safety. There is very little crime on board, and lots of help if something goes wrong. However, tourists are often targets for thieves and scam artists. Americans are particularly vulnerable because they are generally friendly and trusting, even of strangers.

You need not be afraid to travel, but you should be aware of your surroundings and well-prepared. Some simple strategies and lots of common sense will keep you safe and having a great time.

  • Make copies of your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave a copy at home and in a safe place on your ship. If the ship’s purser holds your passport to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports, carry the passport copy ashore with you.
  • Don’t buy expensive luggage. Some thieves equate it with expensive contents. Be sure it’s sturdy, though. You don’t want the contents spilling out because it’s popped open when it shouldn’t have.
  • Use tape or an extra band to secure your bags, and buy self-locking plastic tags for loose contents. You can find heavy-duty types in travel or home improvement stores.
  • Although you need to put external (and internal) tags on your luggage, don’t list your full home address on the outside. This is a signal to expert thieves that you won’t be home, making that the target.
  • Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If you want to wear jewelry, take only those pieces you would not worry about losing.
  • Do not flash money. It is an invitation to pickpockets.
  • In fact, take as little cash as you can. Using a credit is safer, and you will have a record of purchases and the opportunity to question charges.
  • It is best not to take valuables when you travel, but if you must, don’t leave them lying around your cabin. Put your wallet and valuables in the cabin’s safe or the purser’s safe. Remember, in all likelihood you will not be seeing your fellow travelers again. The only people of import you’ll be impressing are the thieves.
  • Common sense is needed even at sea. Though criminals can’t get far, they have lots of places to hide out. Stay in the public areas, and remember that a cruise ship and its crew and passengers are like a small city inhabited by strangers. They are not like your family.
  • If you are cruising with your children, set rules just like at home. Have curfews for your teenagers, and warn them to not accompany crew members to non-public areas. Don’t give your children “the run of the ship” while you are in the club, show, or casino.
  • Before closing your cabin door, check the bathroom and closet for intruders. Locks on cruise ship cabins are not changed as often as hotel locks.
  • Be sure to lock all the doors to your cabin when you are asleep, including a terrace door if you have one. Don’t open the door to strangers. Protect your cabin key and cabin number.
  • You will need to be conscious in ports-of-call as well. Shopping bags and purses are prime targets for cut-and-run thieves who await tourists in port cities. They will disappear into the crowds with your valuables before you know you’ve been robbed.
  • Put valuables in a waist pack that threads through your belt loops. If you carry a handbag, be sure the shoulder strap crosses your body and the purse hangs down the front side of your body.
  • Cradle shopping bags in your arms instead of letting them hang from your hands. Consolidate your bags, and walk purposefully, even when you’re sight seeing. If you look like a victim, you can count on being one.
  • Men should carry wallets in their front pockets and divide their money between pockets. It is preferable to carry a wallet that attaches to your belt and tucks inside your slacks.
  • Never leave your camera or tote bag on a chair in a restaurant. Keep it on your lap. If you can’t put your camera inside your clothing while walking around, put it in a bag that you wear in the front or in a waist pack with straps that weave through your belt loops.
  • Though onboard security varies, there are cameras in the embarkation areas, corridors, public rooms, common decks, pools, and “out of bounds” areas for the crew that security personnel, officers, and staff can and do visually monitor.
  • There is also strict access control to ports and terminals. Passengers are required to show their ID, travel papers if applicable, and tickets to enter both the port area and the terminal, and there are multiple security checkpoints before being allowed to board the ship.
  • Embarkation and debarkation may take longer because of the additional security procedures. Plan your flights accordingly and be patient in long lines. These precautions are for your safety, so keep your sense of humor and remember, everyone is in the same boat!

Refuse to be a Victim

As we age and gain experience, we become more afraid of being a victim of a violent crime. For many people who have been victimized, the trauma changes their outlook towards their community. They become fearful of the street and feel that their security and the quality of their lives have been jeopardized. The fear is sometimes so debilitating that seniors begin locking themselves in their homes. The resulting problem is even greater isolation and loneliness than a senior already struggles with.

Statistics actually suggest that a person is less likely to be a victim of a violent crime as they grow older, so jailing yourself in your home is not necessary or advisable. Let’s not allow the criminals to be victorious in taking away our freedom to live life fully.

The reality is that seniors are most often the target of pick pockets, purse snatchers, and con-artists (people who have developed intricate fraud and con games targeted specifically at senior citizens).

These con-artists are good at what they do, have no conscience about separating people from their money, and don’t care if they are stealing from the people in our society who are on fixed incomes and can afford it least.

You must take charge of your life and be alert in your home, on the telephone, and out in the community. Assume that if it sounds too good to be true, it is, and if you don’t know the person trying to sell you something, proceed with caution.

Consider copying the following list. Then hang it on your refrigerator or leave it by your telephone, so you can be immediately reminded about how to handle various situations.

Keeping Safe at Home

  • Install supplemental locks on exterior doors, sliding glass doors, and windows, and then use them. All exterior doors should be equipped with a 1″ deadbolt (including security strike plate with 3″ screws). Most local police departments have literature on home security that will provide you with information on various residential locking devices. Some police departments have officers who will check your home for problems. Call and ask if they do inspections.
  • Don’t hide keys outside where they can be found. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with someone you trust, perhaps a neighbor, friend or relative.
  • Add exterior lights that come on when someone approaches. Not only will they light doorways, but they will shock intruders and make them visible to you and neighbors.
  • Wander-proof your home. Install alarms and hang bells on doors so you are alerted to night movement. (These are also effective tools for residents who struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.).
  • Inform the neighbors about changes in your schedule—expected deliveries, repairmen, or visitors. That way, they will notice someone who they haven’t been told about.
  • Never open your door to strangers without checking identification first.
  • Have a 180 degree door viewer installed. The one-way peephole is inexpensive and easily installed. Check at Home Depot or Lowes for someone there who might be able to install one of their products.
  • The peephole will allow you to see who’s knocked at your door and inspect credentials. You should look for a service truck, an appropriate uniform, and a photo ID before letting in anyone. If you have any reason to doubt the service man or woman, call the company to verify who they are.
  • If you still feel uncomfortable, do not open the door; ask the caller to return in 30 minutes or an hour. This will allow you sufficient time to contact a friend or relative to be present when the caller returns.
  • Vendors in the city are required to obtain licenses and should be able to present them on request. Don’t conduct business with anyone selling door to door who doesn’t have one. This process is for your protection, and although doesn’t guarantee the quality of the company, it at least verifies who the person is and that a records check has been performed.
  • If the person at the door refuses to show identification and will not leave, quietly go to the telephone and notify the police. If you live in an apartment complex, telephone your building superintendent.
  • Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstructions, and well lighted so that police and emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
  • Use only your first initial in phone books, directories, and apartment lobbies. Don’t advertise that you live alone.
  • Hang up immediately on harassing or obscene phone calls. If the caller persists, call the telephone company and the police.
  • Don’t keep large sums of money in your home.
  • Don’t give house or car keys, credit cards, checkbooks, or savings account passbooks to your housekeeper or caretaker.
  • Keep stock certificates, bonds, seldom-worn or very expensive jewelry, and stamp and coin collections in a safe deposit box.
  • Use Direct Deposit for Social Security or pension checks.

 

Home Repair Fraud

Senior citizens are often approached by individuals offering to perform various home repair jobs such as driveway repair, roof or gutter repair and asphalt repair. The perpetrators claim to have materials left over from other jobs, offer significant discounts, or that they were sent by a close relative or friend.  Once the job is completed, the cost of the work is suddenly more than the first quote and payment in cash is demanded. The con-artists may even offer to provide a ride to the bank so the victim can convert his/her check to cash.

Citizens are advised to always get references from home repair workers. The elderly are advised to be especially leery of workers from outside the local area.

Contact the Better Business Bureau and the County Clerk’s Office to check if any complaints have been registered against the company offering this service prior to entering into any agreements. If the company is not listed with the Better Business Bureau, choose another company.

Do not pay for a job until the job is done and you have inspected the quality. If you believe that the contractor is not doing a good job or is any way threatening, contact your local police and your lawyer prior to payment.

 

Home Diversion Burglary

This scam usually occurs during the spring, summer, or fall when residents are working outside and rarely lock the doors to their homes. One of the thieves will approach the victim and occupy his/her attention while a second subject enters the victim’s home and steals cash, jewelry, and silver, whatever may be easily collected and carried.

Another home diversion technique is for perpetrators to come to a residence and ask for a drink of water, to use a bathroom or a telephone, or for an emergency to gain entrance to a home. The subjects will then attempt to divert the victim’s attention while an accomplice searches for valuables.

Be careful, even if it is a woman at your door. We have a tendency to be more trusting of women. If a woman is part of a group of criminals, she may be the face you see in the peephole while the men stand out of view. Do the following regardless of who’s at your door.

  • If an unknown subject comes to your home seeking directions, the phone, the bathroom, etc., keep the subjects outside the home and at least one locked door between you and them.
  • If they need water, direct them to an outside faucet.
  • If they need to contact someone, offer to make the call for them.
  • When working in the yard, only leave a door unlocked that you can visibly monitor at all times.
  • If you can afford it, install an alarm system. If that is going to be a deterrent to the thief, then all you need is a sign and labels for you windows saying you have an alarm system.
  • Another deterrent is a dog that barks, particularly a big dog.

 

Bank Examiner Scam

The con-artist portrays poses as a bank official, police officer, or FBI agent flashing a badge or other identification. The con artist suggests that there has been a problem with the victim’s bank account and solicits the support of the victim to “catch” a bank employee suspected of fraud. The plan includes the victim withdrawing large sums of money, which, of course is never seen again.

All the professionals listed above have other ways to resolve investigations rather than involving innocent subjects. Each of these groups have their own officers and money for covert operations to check for bank fraud.

If you are approached by any of these individuals, contact their claimed employer to verify their employment.  If the person claims to be a detective or FBI agent, ask the person for a uniformed officer to come to your location to verify their identity. Check all identification carefully. If you suspect that something is wrong, excuse yourself and go call 911.

 

Letter Scam

The perpetrator in this scheme claims to be from Africa, or another country, and has just inherited a large sum of money. He then displays a letter that states that under the law in their country he cannot return with more than a small amount of U.S. currency.

The swindler then solicits the victim’s assistance and either asks the victim to keep the money and periodically send small amounts of it back to them in their home country or make a small donation. In either case, the victim is given the impression that this person will return to their country leaving his money behind.

The con-artist tells his victim that he trusts him, but that it will be necessary for the victim to prove he has money of his own so he won’t be tempted to keep any of the con-artist’s money. When the victim withdraws a large sum of money from his bank, the money is placed into a handkerchief or envelope along with the con-artist’s money and a switch is made. The victim is later given an identical envelope or handkerchief containing cut up paper and the con-artist departs never to be seen again.

There are multiple scams coming across the internet. The most common one is a letter that says that the victim has won a money prize, but that they have to pay various fees to get it paid. Victims have lost as much as $50,000 in this scheme.

If you have any doubt, and honestly, you should have about any “prize”, contact the FBI. There are local offices you can call, and they will have a list of all the current schemes. Additionally, you may be letting them know about a new one that they can warn others about. You may be saving yourself and others the heartache of being ripped-off.

 

Keeping Personal Information Safe

  • Use the mailbox at the Post Office, particularly for envelopes that contain checks. Thieves will steal mail from curbside mailboxes, wash the checks, rewrite them, and drain your bank accounts. You also risk giving out important information that can contribute to identity theft.
  • The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and your last name put on them.
  • If someone takes your check book, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
  • When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card
    accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line.
    Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows
    the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it
    passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to
    it. Do not give your Social Security card number to anyone who contacts you.
  • Put your work telephone number on your checks instead of your
    home phone. If you have a P. O. Box, use that instead of your home address.
  • Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.
  • Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine and copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet, and all the account numbers you will need to cancel and the phone numbers that you will need to call, should your wallet be stolen. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
  • If your wallet is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
  • Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. With an alert on your account, companies that are asked to give credit will know your information was stolen, and they will have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. Additionally, there are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases. The telephone numbers of the three national credit report companies are: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742, Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289.
  • Also, contact the Social Security Administration (fraud line) at 1-800-269-0271.

 

Safety on the Telephone

  • Do not conduct conversations with strangers. Tell sales people and survey takers to remove your number from their lists. They are required by law to do so.
  • Never reveal any personal information on the telephone for any reason. Do not tell them your name, marital status, social security number, or banking information. Don’t give any details about your credit cards, phone cards, or bank accounts to phone solicitors. Just remember never to give any numbers over the phone.
  • If the call is legitimate and the representative actually requires the information, arrange a meeting at your convenience. The legitimate caller will respect your position and agree to an alternate approach.
  • If you don’t want to set up a meeting, another approach is to ask the caller for the name of the business and telephone number, so that you can return the call. Then, check the number to ensure that it corresponds to the caller’s information.
  • A reputable solicitor should identify himself or herself by name; identify the business on whose behalf he or she is calling; identify the purpose of the call; and identify the telephone number at which the person, company, or organization making the call may be reached.
  • If you hear a delay before the caller begins speaking, that is generally the alert that you are being called randomly by a computer. It is definitely not a personalized call and should be suspect immediately.
  • Should the caller ask: “Who is this?” you should respond: “Whom are you calling?” or “Whom do you wish to speak to?” Make the caller identify whom he/she is calling. If you do not receive an appropriate response, hang up.
  • Don’t fall for anything that sounds too good to be true—a free vacation, sweepstakes prizes, cures for medical ailments and diseases, or high yield investment schemes. Be suspicious of anyone who offers you something for free or a chance for quick and easy wealth.
  • Don’t let anyone rush you into signing anything—a policy, contract, or agreement. Read these documents over carefully and have someone you trust check it over. If you are sorry you have agreed to something prematurely, check to see if the Buyers’ Regret Law applies—you have three days within which to change your mind about a purchase, including something as large a purchase as a car.
  • Beware of anyone claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations, or government agencies that offer for a fee to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers. As a twist on this same theme, cons sometimes pretend to be officials trying to “catch” a thief with your assistance. Never go along with these schemes.
  • If you are suspicious, don’t hesitate to call and check with the police.
  • Call your police department or your telephone company and seek their advice about obscene phone calls, night calls from strangers, or frequent wrong number calls. If necessary, change your phone number.
    According to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud by:
  • Being skeptical about “too good to be true” telephone offers.
  • Resisting pressure for an immediate decision.
  • Asking for written follow-up materials that explain the offer.
  • Agreeing to pay no more than the price of a postage stamp when notified about “winning” a sweepstakes. All legitimate sweepstakes must allow a “no purchase necessary” way to play the game and collect the prize.
  •  Never providing your credit card or checking account numbers to a caller from an unfamiliar company without first checking the company out with your Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection agency or state Attorney General.
  • Asking to be placed on the company’s “do not call” list to reduce the number of unwanted telephone solicitations you receive.

 

Safety on the Street

The majority of street crimes are crimes of opportunity. The thief is looking for an easy target: a woman walking down a quiet street or a man who has just cashed his pension check and has been observed with a substantial amount of money.

It might also be a chance crime—the thief decides that this is the right place and the right time, and you just happen to be there. The thief is very likely to be a teenager, a male and a stranger to you.

The most common street crime is purse snatching. The thief approaches you from behind or face on, catches you unaware, grabs your purse and runs. It happens so quickly that you do not have a chance to see who the thief is.

Sometimes, men have had their wallets taken from them by force. These offences do not occur often, but they do occur. If street crimes are a problem in your neighborhood and you have a fear of being victimized, you should be particularly vigilant, but everyone should use good sense.

  • Do not carry large sums of money.
  • Use direct deposit for any checks you receive regularly if possible (i.e. Social Security, retirement payments).
  • Do not flash your money for others to see.
  • Do not carry valuables in full view, and only carry what is absolutely necessary.
  • Don’t carry credit cards you won’t need.
  • Carry purses close to the body, preferably in front and not dangling by the straps (makes it simpler for cut-and-run thieves). DO NOT wrap purse straps around your wrist or you could be dragged along or knocked to the ground in the event of a “snatch”.
  • Carry a small change purse with only the money or credit cards that you need, instead of a large handbag with straps.
  • Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
  • Keep all car doors locked at all times. Be particularly alert in parking lots or garages for people just hanging around. Park near an entrance or exit if possible, there is more traffic at those locations.
  • Keep packages in the trunk of your car not inside where others can see them. Thieves will even break windows if the contents of your car are attractive enough.
  • Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, trust your instincts and leave the area. If necessary move to where there are large groups of people.
  • Go with family, friends, or a group if possible rather than being alone. Utilize the buddy system—walk in pairs whenever possible.
  • Try to walk in a confident, relaxed manner. Looking afraid makes you appear weak.
  • Walk on well-lighted, busy streets. Stay away from vacant lots, alleys, or construction sites.
  • Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to return.
  • If attacked, give up your purse or wallet. Don’t risk personal safety for material loss.
  • Try to remember the most significant physical characteristic about the offender: a facial scar, a physical deformity, or a distinctive facial characteristic.

 

Safety on Public Transportation

  • Board and exit at well-lighted stops.
  • Don’t fall asleep. Stay alert.
  • Hold on to your packages.
  • While riding the bus, trolley, train, or subway, sit near the driver whenever possible.
  • W near the ticket booth until ready to board a train or subway. Pick a car with several people in it. Don’t enter an empty car.
  • Watch who gets on or off with you. If you feel, you’re being followed, immediately enter a store or office and call the police to escort you home.
  • If you feel uneasy anywhere, walk directly to a place where there are other people.

Carry a cell phone. They can be life savers and are now affordable and easier to use. Contact Jitterbug at 1-800-918-8543 to find out about its simpler cell phone that includes friendly, helpful 24 hour service that can make calls for you, provide directory assistance, and add names to your phone list. The phone has bigger buttons that are backlit and a powerful speaker for those who are having trouble hearing. The cost of the service starts at $10.00 a month and there are on long distance or roaming fees.

 

Fire Safety

Americans over the age of 65 have a fire death rate nearly twice the national average.  For those over 75, this jumps to three times the national average, and over age 85, the number of incidents quadruples. These statistics are especially alarming when researchers estimate that by 2030, the 65 and older population will exceed 70 million people.

Senior citizens are at greater risk to die in a fire than the rest of the population because their thinner skin is more vulnerable, their reflexes are slower, and they’re more likely to be on medication that makes them drowsy, particularly deadly if the older person combines medication with alcohol or smoking.

 According to the United States Fire Administration, adults 65 years and older can reduce their fire death rate by changing five major, fire safety habits:

Install a Fire Alarm and Change its Batteries

The National Fire Protection Association reports that the number of residential fire deaths has decreased as the number of smoke detectors in homes has increased. If you or a parent lives in a high rise or care facility, check with the building manager to be sure there are enough smoke detectors per living quarter.

 A working smoke alarm can more than double your chances of surviving a fire. Make sure alarms are installed on each level of your home and outside all sleeping areas.  If you sleep with the bedroom doors closed, the smoke alarms should be installed within each room.  Test each alarm monthly and replace the battery at least once a year.  Adults who are deaf or hard of hearing should invest in visual aids such as alarms with strobe lights.  Flashing or vibrating smoke alarms should also be tested every month.

If alarms are older than 10 years (battery operated or wired into electrical system), components aren’t reliable, and they should be replaced. If they’re new, test and vacuum monthly as dust impairs effectiveness. Replace batteries yearly.

Change or Update Escape Routes

Many older adults are still using escape routes that were planned when their kids were in the house.  Create a new plan for fire escape with two ways to get out of each room, and practice it.  Consider your capabilities when preparing escape routes. Make sure all exits are accessible for walkers or wheelchairs, if that’s necessary.  

It is a good idea to keep a pair of slippers, eyeglasses and flashlight by your bed at night. If you hear your smoke alarm at night, you will be prepared to get out of your home quickly. Once you hear the sound of your smoke alarm, every second counts for your escape.  There is no time to gather belongings, and pets are usually able to get out on their own.

Remember that fire grows very quickly. The cleanest air will be 12 inches above the floor, so practice crawling to the nearest safe exit (with a wet handkerchief over the mouth and nose, if possible, to filter noxious odors). If you’re in a building, memorize the number of doors from your door to a lighted stairwell (Doors can be counted if it’s too dark to see). Touch all doors first before opening. If the door or the knob is hot to the touch, you can be assured that there is fire on the other side.

Never use elevators in a fire emergency.  Everyone must use the stairwells to leave the building.  If you are unable to use stairs, you should stay in an area of refuge.  An apartment is an example of a good area of refuge.  It has a door to keep the smoke out, a phone from which to call 9-1-1 for help, and windows from which to signal. Put on your glasses, grab your flashlight and cell phone, and a handkerchief with which to wave or cover your mouth. If there is a balcony, wait out there and be sure you have gotten someone’s attention.

Change Unsafe Smoking Habits

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths among Americans 65 years and older.  Make sure that you are alert when you smoke and never smoke in bed.  When you are finished smoking, soak the ashes in water before discarding them.  Never leave smoking materials unattended, and collect them in large ashtrays.

Smokers shouldn’t smoke when tired or around flammable objects. They should use deep ashtrays and check furniture for embers that can smolder for hours before bursting into flame.

Change Unsafe Cooking Habits

Cooking fires are the leading cause of fire injuries among older adults.  When using the stove, never leave cooking food unattended.  If you need to step away, turn off the stove.

Don’t leave the kitchen while you are cooking.  If you have to leave the kitchen to answer the doorbell or talk on the phone, set a timer or take a spoon to remind yourself that you are cooking.

Also, wear tight-fitting clothing when cooking over an open flame; a dangling sleeve can catch fire easily.  Keep towels and potholders away from the flame.

Change Unsafe Heating Practices

Install and maintain heating equipment.  Do not store newspapers, rags, or other combustible materials near a furnace, hot water heater, or space heater.  Keep flammable materials, such as curtains or furniture, at least three feet from space heaters.  Never use a stove as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.
For more information on senior fire safety or other fire safety topics, write to the United States Fire Administration, Public Fire Education, Building I, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 or visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov.
 

 

Kitchen Safety

Following these precautions will reduce the chances of falls and other accidents to which the elderly are prone to because of diminished vision, mobility and other disabilities.

The kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house, particularly for those who are frail or absent-minded. Including forgotten pots on the stovetop, scalding water from faucets, gas leaks from an extinguished pilot light, and electrical shocks, almost 1,000,000 injuries and deaths each year result from accidents in this unsafe environment.

Determine if your kitchen meets general safety standards: Appliances should work well, be clean and disconnected when not in use. Electrical cords should not be frayed, cracked or trailing across the floor or worktop (buy curly cords), and outlet extensions that accommodate several plugs should not be used.

Circuit breakers should provide overload protection, ground-fault circuit interrupters protect against electric shock, and a gas stove should be equipped with an automatic cut-off in the event of flame failure. Buy coffeepots, tea kettles and irons with automatic shut-offs.

Set the water thermostat at 110F and install a single-lever faucet that balances water temperature to prevent burns. Floors should be non-slip. Avoid loose rugs and store heavy objects on bottom shelves. Install pull-out shelves inside cabinets and Lazy Susans (swivel plates) in corner cabinets, and use handles on cabinet doors rather than knobs (easier to grab).

Improve lighting so accidents are less probable (i.e. knife misuse and medicine mix-ups) and spills are more visible. Reduce glare with frosted bulbs, increase wattage in over-the-countertop lights, and install fixtures under the cabinets.
Flammable items (including towels and curtains) should be kept away from range and oven. Do not to wear clothing with loose or long sleeves when cooking, and if you are helping someone older, practice these safety measures and an escape route with the person.

Install a smoke detector and have a fire blanket and extinguisher immediately accessible. A list of emergency numbers should hang next to the telephone. Always keep your identification and important medical information on you at all times in case of an emergency.

Visit the US Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov for more recommendations and valuable publications.

 

Bathroom

The bathroom is the other most dangerous spot in the house. Smooth surfaces, glass and mirrors, soap and water, and the small spaces of a bathroom can spell disaster, particularly for the aging. Precautions against falls, burns, poisons, drowning, and electrical injuries must be taken.

The ideal bathroom would be on the first floor with a door that swings out (allowing access to a fallen person blocking the door), would have a 32-inch doorway (without a sill) and five-foot turning radius (to accommodate a walker and wheel chair),  rounded-edge cabinetry and counter tops with knee space, slip-resistant floor (vinyl, matte-finished, textured-tile, low-pile carpet but no throw-rugs or bathmats), tempered or shatterproof-glazed glass, and a roll-in shower.

You should install non-skid, adhesive strips in the shower and bathtub and institutional-grade, stainless-steel, grab bars for solid support in the bath and near a toilet that should be adjustable or has a seat 18 inches from the floor.

Use a portable, water proof, non-slip shower chair and hand-held, shower head. Hang a soap and shampoo dispenser and a ceiling-mounted, heat lamp to maintain a warm bathroom, especially important for those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Insulate exposed pipes and mount a single-lever, touchless or push-button faucet with temperature and volume control to prevent burns. Set water heater at 120 degrees.

Avoid keeping medications in the bathroom. Their organization and careful dispensing is more difficult, and moisture and heat can be damaging. Toiletries and medicines should be stored separately from household cleansers.

Rocker light switches and levered door and drawer pulls are crucial for those with arthritic hands and weakened muscles. Increase lighting for the vision impaired. Install a night light, and easy-to-reach telephone or emergency call button. Keep a key just outside the door.

Visit www.carepathways.com and www.senioremporium.com for more information on bathroom safety and ordering items, and read Rosemary Bakker’s book, Elderdesign (Penguin).

 

Follow these tips as well:

  • Have a list of telephone numbers to call in case of an emergency (911, doctors, relatives, etc.) near the phone and in LARGE, readable type or writing.
  • Check all electrical cords. Replace those showing signs of wear and tear.
  • Install adequate electrical outlets to prevent overloading circuits. Avoid multiple extension cords or electrics cords stretched across open areas or doorways. Use coiled cords where possible.
  • Use non-skid wax to clean uncarpeted floors.
  • Use rubber-backed throw rugs (or place non-skid strips on backs of rugs).
  • Use bright lighting that is even through out the house or apartment.
  • Be sure that the doors can be unlocked from the outside in case of an emergency. This is especially important in the bathroom and bedroom.
  • Put smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in appropriate places (kitchen, bedroom) throughout the house/apartment. Check smoke detector batteries twice a year.
  • Toilet frames, arm rests or commodes can be attached to or placed around the toilet.
  • Wipe up spills from shower or tub immediately, or carpet entire bathroom to avoid slips or falls. Know you will have to clean or replace the carpet periodically as germs, mold, and mildew will grow more readily.
  • Use shower seat and shower hose if unable to stand safely while showering.
  • Avoid use of electrical equipment in the bathroom as much as possible. Water contact with this equipment may cause electrical shock.
  • Avoid using bath oil in the tub or shower.

 

Bedroom

  • Put a good, sturdy lamp next to the bed, or locate the bed next to a light switch.
  • This will enable an older person to find his/her way to the bathroom at night or locate a needed item without risking a fall.
  • Put a stable nightstand next to the bed. This provides a place for the older person’s glasses and other necessary items within easy reach.
  • For frail elderly who are able to use one, place a phone on the bedside table. It will be extremely helpful incase of an emergency, and just knowing it is there may relieve an elder’s anxiety and fears.
  • Use a nightlight to help the older person relieve feelings of disorientation when awakening during the night.
  • Keep clear pathways around the bed, to the door and to the bathroom.
  • Remove casters on beds, tables and chairs. Unintended movement of furniture used for support by the elderly person can result in a fall.
  • See that grab bars, railings or rope are mounted in hallways if bedroom is not easily accessible to the bathroom or living areas. Heavy pieces of furniture can also be strategically placed to serve as support for the frail person to get from room to room.
  • Use a hot water bottle for warmth at bedtime. Avoid the use of heating pads and electric blankets when sleeping. Elderly are less sensitive to heat and may become overheated or burned inadvertently.
  • For the elderly who are smokers, arrange for a specific, safe place in the house where smoking is allowed. Discourage smoking in bed or while sitting on upholstered furniture.
  • Draw up and practice an evacuation plan in case of fire or other emergency.
  • Fix bed height so the older person can get on and off comfortably.
  • See that storage spaces and needed items are within easy reach of the older person.

 

Stairs, Pathways & Gardens

  • Place bright-colored, non-skid strips on the edge of steps to prevent falls.
  • See that stairways, hallways, indoor and outdoor pathways are brightly and evenly lit.
  • Remove protruding objects (i.e. coat hooks, low light fixtures and shelves) from stairways or pathways.
  • Check steps and walkways for holes, cracks and splinters; make needed repairs.
  • Use smooth but slip-resistant handrails along stairways.
  • Avoid placing sharp rocks or objects along garden pathways. Keep hoses away from walkways. Store garden equipment between uses.
  • Use walker/cane for unsteady gait if needed.
  • Stand on the sidewalk, not in the street when waiting to cross.
  • Look both ways before entering a crosswalk. This is especially important for those elderly with diminished hearing.
  • Have regular eye examinations to ensure good vision.
  • Use sunglasses, hat or cap to help prevent glare.
  • When walking at night, wear white or beige clothing, use reflector tapes on shoes and clothing, or use reflectorized garments in orange or yellow.
  • Find a friend or companion when going out at night. Avoid dark areas. Do not carry valuables.

 

Footwear

  • Choose shoes that are flexible and easily molded to the feet. Natural materials (suede, leathers) are cooler than manmade materials (plastic, nylon). Shoes with Velcro straps are easier to put on/take off.
  • The soles of shoes should be made of material that grips the floor, e.g., corrugated rubber or neolyte. Leather, wood, cork or crepe soled shoes may crack and cause falls.
  • Consider having your feet checked for fallen arches as that can contribute to difficulty with walking. A molded insert in your shoe may be the answer for a pain free gait.