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THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS AT YOUR DISPOSAL
WHEN IMPROVING SAFETY IN THE HOME
ARE COMMON SENSE
AND AN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERSON IN YOUR CARE.
THESE TOOLS WILL HELP YOU BOTH ANTICIPATE THINGS
THAT MIGHT GO WRONG, AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THEM.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS PHYSICALLY WEAK,
CONFUSED, OR UNSTEADY ON HIS FEET,
HE'S MORE LIKELY TO FALL OR INJURE HIMSELF.
THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD TAKE STEPS
TO PREVENT SUCH A FALL OR INJURY.
IN THIS HOME-SAFETY MODULE,
WE'LL EXPLORE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
SURVEY YOUR LOVED ONE'S HOME TO START THE TASK
OF CREATING A SAFE HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR HI.
LOOK AROUND EACH ROOM IN THE HOME
TO SPOT POTENTIAL HAZARDS.
IF YOU SEE A SAFETY THREA, CORRECT IT RIGHT AWAY.
OR IF YOU CAN'T, PUT IT ON YOUR SAFETY TO-DO LIST.
REMEMBER THESE SAFETY TIPS--
MAKE SURE DOORWAYS AND FLOOS ARE FREE FROM CLUTTER.
WIPE UP SPILLS IMMEDIATEL,
FOLLOWING INFECTION CONTRL PROCEDURES WHEN NECESSARY.
STORE ALL MEDICINES AND CLEANING MATERIALS
IN LOCKED CABINETS AND CLOSETS.
KEEP A NIGHT-LIGHT ON IN YOUR LOVED ONE'S BEDROOM,
IN THE HALLWAY, AND IN THE BATHROOM.
KEEP A SIGNAL SYSTEM
SO THAT YOUR LOVED ONE, IF LEFT ALONE,
CAN CALL FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
YOUR LOVED ONE WILL BE SAFER IF HE CAN HEAR AND SEE.
DAD, ARE YOU AWAK?
IF YOUR LOVED ONE WEARS A HEARING AID,
MAKE SURE IT WORKS,
AND ENCOURAGE HIM TO USE IT WHEN NECESSAR.
THAT IS BETTER, YES.
IF HE WEARS EYEGLASSES, MAKE SURE THEY ARE CLEA.
YEAH, JUST A LITT.
WHEN DEALING WITH ELECTRICITY,
PROPER PROCEDURES ARE VITAL.
USE EXTENSION CORDS ONLY FOR VERY SHORT-TERM US.
WHEN EXTENSION CORDS ARE USED,
THEY SHOULD NOT BE TUCKD UNDER RUGS.
INSTEAD, THEY SHOULD BE SECURED TO THE WALL OR FLOOR
WITH TAPE OR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS.
NEVER LEAVE EXTENSION CORS LYING LOOSELY ON THE FLOOR
OR EXTENDING ACROSS A PATHWAY.
REPLACE FRAYED CORDS.
DO NOT OVERLOAD EXTENSION CORS OR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS.
UNPLUG ELECTRICAL EQUIPMET WHEN IT'S NOT IN USE.
THE TELEPHONE IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE
OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THE HOME.
PLACE AT LEAST ONE TELEPHONE WHERE IT CAN BE REACHED
IN THE EVENT THAT YOUR LOVED ONE
IS UNABLE TO STAND AND MOVE AROUND.
POST EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS NEAR EACH PHONE IN THE HOUS.
MAKE SURE THE PHONE NUMBER FOR YOUR HOUSE
IS POSTED ON EVERY PHON.
THE BATHROOM IS A ROOM WITH LOTS OF SAFETY RISKS.
HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES FOR CREATING A SAFER BATHROOM.
TUBS AND SHOWERS SHOULD HAVE A TEXTURED SURFACE
OR NON-SKID MATS OR STRIPS TO HELP PREVENT FALLS.
GRAB BARS IN THE TUB, SHOWER, AND BY THE TOILT
SHOULD BE PROPERLY INSTALLED TO GIVE YOUR LOVED ONE SUPPOR.
CHECK WATER TEMPERATURE WITH A BATH THERMOMETER
OR THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
BEFORE YOUR LOVED ONE ENTERS THE TUB OR SHOWER.
CHECK THE WATER TEMPERATURE,
CONFIRMING THAT IT IS BELW 105 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
INSTALL A NIGHT-LIGHT IN THE BATHROOMS.
TO MAKE SHOWERING EASIE,
USE A SHOWER CHAIR AND A HAND-HELD SHOWER HEAD.
OKAY...
RUGS AND MATS ARE ANOTHER POTENTIAL HAZARD IN THE H.
TO KEEP YOUR LOVED ONE FROM TRIPPING,
SECURE LOOSE RUGS, RUNNER, AND MATS TO THE FLOOR
WITH DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE OR RUBBER MATTING.
TACK DOWN THE EDGES OF CARPT TO PREVENT TRIPS AND FALL.
REPAIR, REPLACE, OR REMOVE CARPETING
THAT IS TORN, WORN, OR FRAYED.
TO PREVENT FALLS,
KEEP STAIRS AND HALLWAYS HAZARD FREE.
KEEP STAIRS AND HALLWAYS WELL LIT AND FREE OF CLUTTE.
INSTALL STURDY, WELL-SECURED HANDRAILS
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STAIRS.
REMEMBER--MAKE SURE YOUR LOVED ONE WEARS SLIPPES
OR SHOES WITH NON-SKID SOLES
TO AVOID SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS.
YOUR LOVED ONE MAY REQUIRE
THE USE OF EQUIPMENT THAT HELPS INCREASE HIS INDEPENDENCE,
SUCH AS A WHEELCHAIR OR WALKER.
OTHER EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A HOSPITAL BED
MAY MAKE CARING FOR HIM EASIER.
KEEP IN MIND THAT IMPROPER UE OF THIS EQUIPMENT
CAN CAUSE INJURY,
SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN
THE PROPER WAY TO USE THESE ITEMS,
AND HAVE THEM ADJUSTED TO FIT YOUR LOVED ONE.
ALWAYS READ THE PRODUCT MANUAL
AND FOLLOW OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.
IF NO MANUAL CAME WITH THE EQUIPMENT,
YOU MAY FIND INSTRUCTIONS
ON A STICKER OR LABEL ATTACHED TO THE EQUIPMENT.
THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, HOME HEALTH NURSE,
OR EQUIPMENT RETAILER MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU
HOW TO SAFELY USE THE EQUIPMENT.
BE SURE TO USE THE BRAKES ON WHEELCHAIRS,
SHOWER CHAIRS, BEDS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WITH WHEELS.
BEFORE HELPING YOUR LOVED OE
INTO A CHAIR OR BED WITH WHEELS,
LOCK THE BRAKES AND MAKE SUE IT WILL NOT MOVE.
FIRE SAFETY IS IMPORTAN.
HELP PREVENT HOME FIRES WITH THESE FIRE-SAFETY TIPS.
IF YOUR LOVED ONE SMOKE,
DO NOT LET HIM SMOKE UNSUPERVISED.
SMOKING IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF HOME FIRES.
DON'T LEAVE THE PERSON IN YOUR CARE
UNATTENDED IN A ROOM WITH LIT CANDLES
AND IN HOMES WITH CHILDREN
OR LOVED ONES WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR DEMENTIA,
KEEP CANDLES, MATCHES, AND LIGHTERS OUT OF REACH.
IF NECESSARY, HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY CONNECTIOS
AND FLUES INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL, AND CLEANED
PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH SEASON.
USE A STURDY FIREPLACE SCREEN
WHEN HAVING A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE.
NEVER BURN PINE BOUGHS OR PAPERS
SUCH AS DISCARDED GIFT WRP OR NEWSPAPERS IN THE FIREPLAC.
DO NOT HANG HOLIDAY DECORATIOS FROM OR ON YOUR FIREPLAE
IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE A FIRE IN IT.
BE CAREFUL WITH PORTABLE SPACE HEATERS.
PLACE THEM AT LEAST THREE FEET AWAY
FROM ANYTHING COMBUSTIBLE.
TURN THEM OFF WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN THE ROM
OR WHEN YOU GO TO BED.
REMEMBER, NEVER USE THEM TO DRY WET MATERIAL.
NEVER LEAVE A SPACE HEAR UNATTENDED AROUND CHILD,
PETS, OR YOUR LOVED ONE WITH ALZHEIMER'S OR DEMENTI.
WHEN COOKING, DO NOT WEAR LOOSE CLOTHIN,
WHICH CAN BE IGNITED BY HOT BURNERS.
ALWAYS TURN POT HANDLES I.
KEEP THE STOVETOP CLEAR OF ANY ITEMS THAT COULD CATCH FIRE.
KEEP KITCHEN APPLIANCES CLEAN AND IN GOOD CONDITION,
AND TURN THEM OFF AFTER USE.
MAKE SURE SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOS
ARE WORKING PROPERLY,
AND THAT NEW BATTERIES ARE INSTALLED AT LEAST ONCE A YEA.
TEST EACH DETECTOR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
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DON'T OVERLOAD YOUR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS.
HAVE ONE OR MORE WORKING FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
IN YOUR HOME.
KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.
LABEL SHUTOFF VALVES FOR GAS,
OIL, WATER, AND ELECTRICITY.
AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY WHO NEED HOME CARE,
YOUR LOVED ONE MAY BE VULNERABLE TO INFECTIONS.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU PROTECT YOURSELF
AND YOUR LOVED ONE BY TREATING ALL BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS
AS IF THEY ARE INFECTIOUS.
FEEL FREE TO TOUCH YOUR LOVED ONE.
HOWEVER, SHE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBE TO DISEASE-CAUSING GERM.
TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF INFECTION,
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN.
THIS HELPS ELIMINATE DISEASE-CAUSING GERMS
THAT YOU MAY HAVE PICKED P FROM OTHER PEOPLE,
ANIMALS, OR SURFACES THAT YOU HAVE TOUCHED.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THESE STES
TO WASH YOUR HANDS CORRECTL.
WET YOUR HANDS WITH WATER, AND THEN APPLY LIQUID SOA.
RUB YOUR HANDS VIGOROUSY FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS,
COVERING ALL SURFACES, INCLUDING THE FINGERS.
SCRUB NAILS BY RUBBING THM
AGAINST THE PALMS OF YOUR HANDS.
RINSE YOUR HANDS WITH WATER.
WHEN RINSED, DRY YOUR HANDS THOROUGHY
WITH A DISPOSABLE TOWEL,
AND THEN USE THE TOWEL TO TURN OFF THE FAUCET.
KEEPING YOUR HANDS CLEAN SHOULD BE A PRIMARY CONCEN
THROUGHOUT YOUR CARE-GIVING EXPERIENCE,
BUT THERE ARE SOME TIMES
WHEN HAVING CLEAN HANDS IS ESSENTIAL...
AFTER YOU GO TO THE BATHROO.
BEFORE YOU PREPARE FOOD.
BEFORE AND AFTER FEEDING OR BATHING YOUR LOVED ONE.
BEFORE AND AFTER HELPING YOUR LOVED ONE
GO TO THE BATHROOM.
AFTER SNEEZING, COUGHIN,
OR TOUCHING YOUR NOSE, MOUTH, OR GENITALS.
AFTER HANDLING GARBAGE OR ANIMAL LITTER.
AFTER CLEANING THE HOUS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CUTS OR SORES
ON YOUR HANDS OR OTHER EXPOSED AREAS,
COVER THE SORES WITH BANDAGES
TO PREVENT INFECTING YOUR LOVED ONE OR YOURSEL.
AS A GENERAL RULE,
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR LOVED OE OR HER PERSONAL ITEMS
IF YOU HAVE SKIN INFECTIOS SUCH AS BOILS, COLD SORES,
IMPETIGO, OR SHINGLES.
WEARING DISPOSABLE GLOVS
IS ESSENTIAL IN THE FOLLOWING INSTANCES..
WHEN TOUCHING YOUR LOVED ONE'S ***, VAGINAL FLUID,
VAGINAL BLOOD, CUTS, SORE, BLOOD, OR OTHER BODY FLUI.
WHEN GIVING CARE TO YOUR LOVED ONE'S MOUTH,
***, OR GENITALS.
WHEN CHANGING DIAPERS OR SANITARY PADS.
WHEN EMPTYING BEDPANS OR URINALS.
WHEN CLEANING UP URINE, FECES, OR VOMIT.
YOU CAN BUY DISPOSABLE GLOVES IN MOST DRUG STORES.
USE THESE GLOVES ONLY ONE TIME, AND THEN THROW THEM AWAY.
DO NOT USE GLOVES MORE THAN ONE TIME,
EVEN IF THEY'RE MARKED "REUSABLE."
IN GENERAL, DO NOT WEAR JEWELRY WITH GLOVES.
DISPOSABLE GLOVES ARE AVAILABLE IN VINYL, LATEX, OR NITRILE.
SOME PEOPLE ARE SENSITIVE TO LATEX,
AND MAY HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO IT.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE SKIN REDNESS, RASH,
HIVES, ITCHING, RUNNY NOSE, SNEEZING, ITCHY EYES,
SCRATCHY THROAT, OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH,
WASH YOUR HANDS IMMEDIATELY.
IF CONDITIONS PERSIST OR YOU EXPERIENCE A SEVERE REACTION,
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY.
WHEN REMOVING DISPOSABLE GLOVES,
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR BARE HAND
FROM TOUCHING THE OUTSIE OF THE GLOVE.
TO DO SO, FOLLOW THESE STEPS.
PARTIALLY REMOVE THE FIRST GLOVE
BY PINCHING THE GLOVE AT THE WRIST,
BEING CAREFUL TO TOUCH ONY THE GLOVE'S OUTSIDE SURFA.
PULL THE GLOVE TOWARD THE FINGERTIPS
WITHOUT COMPLETELY REMOVING IT.
THE GLOVE IS NOW INSIDE OUT.
THEN REMOVE THE SECOND GLOVE BY DOING THE FOLLOWING..
WITH PARTIALLY GLOVED HAN,
PINCH THE EXTERIOR OF THE SECOND GLOVE.
PULL THE SECOND GLOVE TOWARD THE FINGERTIPS
UNTIL IT IS INSIDE-OUT.
THEN REMOVE IT COMPLETELY.
FINISH REMOVING BOTH GLOVS
BY GRASPING BOTH GLOVES WITH YOUR FREE HAND.
TOUCH ONLY THE CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE GLOVE.
AFTER REMOVING BOTH GLOVE,
DISCARD THEM IN AN APPROPRIATE CONTAINER.
WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND WATER.
YOU CAN SAFELY WASH YOUR LOVED ONE'S SHEETS AND CLOTHIG
AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER LAUNDRY
IN A WASHING MACHINE, USING HOT OR COLD WATER
WITH REGULAR LAUNDRY DETERGENT.
IF THE CLOTHES OR SHEETS HAVE VOMIT,
BLOOD, FECES, OR OTHER BODY FLUIDS ON THE,
WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES,
AND HANDLE THE CLOTHES R SHEETS AS LITTLE AS POSSIBL.
PLACE THEM IN PLASTIC BAGS UNTIL YOU CAN WASH THEM.
RINSE THEM IN A COLD-WATER CYCLE,
AND THEN WASH THEM IN A NORMAL CYCLE,
USING REGULAR DETERGENT.
CLEAN THE HOUSE OFTEN
TO KILL GERMS THAT MAY MAKE YOUR LOVED ONE SIC.
CLEAN TUBS, SHOWERS, AND SINKS USING HOUSEHOLD CLEANER.
THEN RINSE WITH FRESH WATER.
CLEAN TOILETS OFTEN, USING EITHER A MIXTURE
OF ONE QUARTER CUP OF BLEACH TO A GALLON OF WATER
OR USE A COMMERCIAL TOILET BOWL CLEANER.
CLEAN URINALS AND BEDPAS
WITH COOL, SOAPY WATER AND A TOILET BRUSH
AFTER EACH USE.
FROM TIME TO TIME, THE PERSON IN YOUR CARE
MAY USE NEEDLES AND SYRINGES TO TAKE MEDICINE.
IF YOU HAVE TO HANDLE THESE NEEDLES AND SYRINGE,
YOU MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO STICK YOURSELF.
REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS...
USE A NEEDLE AND SYRINGE ONLY ONCE.
DO NOT PUT CAPS BACK ON NEEDLES.
DO NOT TAKE NEEDLES OFF SYRINGES.
DO NOT BEND OR BREAK NEEDLES.
IF A NEEDLE FALLS OFF A SYRINGE,
USE TWEEZERS OR PLIERS TO PICK IT UP--
DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERS.
TOUCH NEEDLES AND SYRINGES
ONLY BY THE BARREL OF THE SYRINGE.
HOLD THE SHARP END AWAY FROM YOU.
PUT THE USED NEEDLE AND SYRINE IN A PUNCTURE-PROOF CONTAINER.
THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER,
NURSE, OR AID SERVICE ORGANIZATIN
CAN GIVE YOU A SPECIAL CONTAINER.
ASK THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDR OR NURSE
HOW TO GET RID OF THE CONTAINER
WITH THE USED NEEDLES AND SYRINGES.
IF YOU GET STUCK WITH A NEEDLE USED ON YOUR LOVED ONE,
YOU NEED TO ACT QUICKLY TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE.
PUT THE NEEDLE IN THE USED NEEDLE CONTAINER.
THEN WASH THE AREA, AS SOON AS YOU CAN,
USING WARM SOAPY WATER.
CALL THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED,
AND ASK WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD DO.
ONE LAST THING TO CONSIDER
WHEN PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONE FROM INFECTIN
IS THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTE.
WEARING DISPOSABLE GLOVES, FLUSH ALL LIQUID WASTE
SUCH AS URINE AND VOMIT DOWN THE TOILET.
AVOID SPLASHING AS YOU DO THIS.
FLUSH TOILET PAPER AND TISSUES
WITH BLOOD, ***, VAGINAL FLUID,
FECES, OR BREAST MILK DOWN THE TOILET.
DISPOSE OF SOLID WASTE PRODUCTS
BY PLACING THEM IN PLASTIC BAGS.
THIS INCLUDES ITEMS SUCH AS PAPER TOWELS,
SANITARY PADS, DIAPERS, BANDAGES,
AND OTHER ITEMS WITH BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS ON THEM
THAT CANNOT BE FLUSHED.
PUT THE ITEMS IN THE BA, THEN CLOSE AND SEAL THE BAG.
PUT THAT BAG IN ANOTHER BAG,
THEN CLOSE AND SEAL THE OUTER BAG.
AGAIN, REMEMBER TO WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES.
ASK THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, NURSE,
OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ABOUT HOW TO GET RID OF ITES
WITH BLOOD OR OTHER BODY FLUIDS ON THE.
PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE
IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF CARE GIVING.
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR HOME FOR HAZARDS,
AND MAKE CHANGES TO HELP ENSURE SAFETY.
AND REMEMBER-- WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN,
AND WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES
WHEN THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU MAY COME IN CONTACT
WITH BLOOD OR OTHER BODY FLUIDS.
BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES,
YOU'LL BE ON YOUR WAY TO PROVIDING A SAFER ENVIRONMET
AND THE BEST CARE YOU CAN.