Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home, causing serious injury, permanent disability, and death. With proper home setup and attention to hazardous objects, it is possible to prevent such incidents. Consider a home evaluation by a Certified Aging in Place Specialist to help you properly design your home to avoid hazards.  The following checklist is designed to help senior citizens find and fix these hazards in each room of the home.

Kitchen
Problem: Kitchen items are on high, hard-to-reach shelves.
Solution: Move kitchen items into cabinets. Keep things you use often on lower shelves.  Consider a Reacher to grab hard to reach items.

Problem: Your step stool is unsteady.
Solution: Get a new step stool with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool.

Bedroom
Problem: Path from your bed to the bathroom is dark.
Solution: Use a nightlight to see where you’re walking. Some nightlights go on by themselves after dark.

Problem: Difficulty getting out of bed
Solution: Use a bed assist rail to help in getting in and out of bed.

Bathroom
Problem: Tub or shower floor is slippery.
Solution: Try shower slippers or put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.  Use a tub transfer bench to easily get into the tub without having to step in.

Problem: Extra support is needed when getting in and out of the tub or up from the toilet.
Solution: Have a handyman install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.  Also, consider a raised  toilet seat with arms in your bathroom.

Floors
Problem: When you walk through a room, you have to walk around furniture.
Solution: Have someone rearrange the room so a path is always clear.  Keep objects off of floor. Utilize closets, bookshelves, and tables for such items.

Problem: Throw rugs on the floor.
Solution: Remove the rugs or use double-sided tape or non-slip backing to prevent the rugs from sliding.

Stairs & Steps
Problem: Steps are broken or uneven.  Handrails are loose or broken.
Solution: Get steps repaired immediately.  Have a handyman fix any loose handrails or install new ones

Problem: Stairway is poorly lit.
Solution: Have a handyman or electrician install and overhead light at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.

Other Ways to Prevent Falls

- Exercise regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves balance and coordination.

- Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medication you take (even over-the-counter   medicines).     Some medications can make you sleepy or dizzy.

- Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.  Consider a low vision product.

- Get up slowly after you sit or lie down.

- Wear sturdy shoes with thin, non-slip soles. Avoid slippers and running shoes with thick soles.

- Improve the lighting in your home. Use brighter bulbs (at least 60 watts). Use lampshades or frosted bulbs to reduce glare.

- Use reflecting tape at the top and bottom of the stairs so you can see them better.

- Paint doorsills a different color to prevent tripping.

Monday, September 8th, 2008 was a beautiful day for Golf and Tennis as 110 golfers and 12 tennis players took to the links and courts at Saucon Valley Country Club for Good Shepherd’s Golf and Tennis Invitational.

The fundraiser, which received generous sponsor support from local businesses, organizations and individuals netted more then $105,000 for the Good Shepherd pediatric program. Last year alone, they logged more then 22,000 therapy visits from children struggling from autism, brain injury, cerebral palsy and other various developmental problems. This annual fundraiser provides charitable care, pediatrics products, and many families whose insurances do not cover extended therapy have the chance to visit with their children and help them become physically and mentally stronger.

With continued help from our wonderful donors, Good Shepherd will be there for years to come providing exciting and progressive assistive technologies, expert care and compassion for the  children of our communities who have significant needs,” says Sally Gammon, President and CEO of Good Shepherd.