Texas Elder Law: PROTECTING YOUR ELDERLY PARENTS AT HOME

Posted on | July 30, 2011 | No Comments

In the 90’s, one of the most recognizable commercial catch phrases, besides “clap on, clap off” was “I’ve  fallen and I can’t get up.” The slogan gained popularity and became widely used in many comedic situations, including a Saturday Night Live skit. Although the overly dramatized commercial is seen as humorous to many, the real life danger of an elderly person taking a spill is an all too often occurrence that can be deadly.

According to Colorado State University, falls are reported by one-third of all people 65 or older each year; two thirds of those who fall will fall again within six months. Additionally, falls are the leading cause of death by injury in people over the age of 65. At least one-third of all elderly falls are caused by environmental hazards.

Thankfully, many of the falls that are caused by environmental hazards can be prevented. In order to eliminate the most risk, it is important to pay attention to your parents mental and physical condition and note what daily activities are giving them problems. It is also important to visit often and at random times to evaluate the potential hazards your loved one faces everyday  in their home.  Once you have evaluated the problem areas, Colorado State University suggests taking the following preventative measures, among others:

Outdoors

• Repair cracks and abrupt edges of sidewalks and driveways.
• Install handrails on stairs and steps.
• Remove high doorway thresholds Trim shrubbery along the pathway to the home.
• Keep walk areas clear of clutter, rocks and tools.
• Keep walk areas clear of snow and ice.
• Install adequate lighting by doorways and along walkways leading to doors.

All Living Spaces

• Use a change in color to denote changes in surface types or levels.
• Secure rugs with nonskid tape as well as carpet edges.
• Avoid throw rugs.
• Remove oversized furniture and objects.
• Have at least one phone extension in each level of the home and post. emergency numbers at each phone.
• Add electrical outlets.
• Reduce clutter.
• Check lighting for adequate illumination and glare control.
• Maintain nightlights or motion-sensitive lighting throughout home.
• Use contrast in paint, furniture and carpet colors.
• Install electronic emergency response system if needed.

Bathrooms

• Install grab bars on walls around the tub and beside the toilet, strong enough to hold your weight.
• Add nonskid mats or appliques to bathtubs.
• Mount liquid soap dispenser on the bathtub-wall.
• Install a portable, hand-held shower head.
• Add a padded bath or shower seat.
• Install a raised toilet seat if needed.
• Use nonskid mats or carpet on floor surfaces that may get wet.

Bedroom

• Put in a bedside light with a switch that is easy to turn on and off (or a touch lamp).
• Have a nightlight.
• Locate telephone within reach of bed.
• Adjust height of bed to make it easy to get in and out of.
• Have a firm chair, with arms, to sit and dress.

Stairways, Hallways and Pathways

• Keep free of clutter
• Make sure carpet is secured and get rid of throw rugs.
• Install tightly fastened hand rails running the entire length and along both sides of stairs.
• Handrails should be 34 inches high and have a diameter of about 1.5 inches.
• Apply brightly colored tape to the face of the steps to make them more visible.
• Optimal stair dimensions are 7.2 inch riser heights with either an 11 or 12 inch tread width.
• Have adequate lighting in stairways, hallways and pathways, with light switches placed at each end.

As stated in the referenced commercial, alert systems and alarm monitoring services are a good way to keep the family or medical emergency services alerted in case of a fall or sudden health issue. Finally, speak to your loved one’s neighbors and keep them informed of your loved one’s current health status. Ask them to check-in with your loved one every so often, especially if they have not noticed any recent activity lately.

Our parents and grandparents are living longer these days and therefore the threat of one of them being injured in a fall is increasing. They took care of us when we were small children and now it is our time to return the favor by making sure their homes are happy and safe.

For questions about Texas law affecting seniors, wills, or probate and estate administration contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.

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