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PHYSICIAN’S QUARTERLY BULLETIN - July 2016
Current Topics in Health, Healthcare & Your Practice
Keeping Patients Safe at Home
Health care often deals with lifestyle issues including diet, smoking, and exercise. But one of the most important issues for a senior or physically-challenged patient is their ability to function safely at home.
That's where accessibility solutions differ from mobility. A wheelchair or power chair provides the transport; accessibility products, such as stair lifts, ramps and a wide range of other products noted later in this article, help ensure that the individual can access their home and avoid falls.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "one out of three older people falls each year, but fewer than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles chances of falling again."
Your intervention via direct questioning could make a difference.
Assessing the Patient's Home Safety
A few simple questions help ascertain the patient's safety at home and just as important, they can make your patient aware of the need to consider solutions.
- Can you easily enter your home? (Or with a mobility device if relevant?)
- Does your home have another floor that is difficult to access?
- Can you easily enter your bath or shower? And do you feel steady while bathing?
- Are you preparing healthy meals? Is it difficult to move around the kitchen (or reach counters or shelves if using a power chair)
- How do you reach high shelves?
Since falls are the greatest danger for seniors, a positive attitude can help them accept simple adaptations that may enable them to enjoy their daily life and remain in their home as long as possible.
AARP Aging in Place Survey 2011
Affordability Issues
Mobility products may be covered by Medicare or other insurers when medically necessary. Unfortunately, home accessibility products are rarely, if ever, covered.
Occasionally, depending on state, Medicaid will cover some medically-necessary items provided they enable individuals to remain in their homes and avoid nursing home placement. In addition, some outside sources such as state, non-profit, or foundation grants may cover some costs to adapt a home for safety.¹
In any case, living independently at home for as long as possible is not just preferable for comfort, privacy and lifestyle, but is usually more economical than an assisted living facility.
Good News for Doctor-Patient Communication
AARP Survey 2012
Home Accessibility Solutions
The best solutions depend on patient's living situation and mobility. Below is a brief overview of potential accessibility options.
Ramps range from simple threshold ramps to solid or portable or folding ramps designed to accommodate a wheelchair, power chair or scooter.
Threshold Ramps make it easier to enter and exit the home. Longer ramp designs accommodate higher steps.
Stair Lifts allow the patient to reach another level of the home without struggling with steps; they offer a range of safety features and designs for straight or curved staircases.
HOVERGlide® Pinnacle Stair Lift folds close to the wall when not in use for pedestrian access.
Unlike a stair lift, which carries the individual, a vertical porch lift allows the person to takes the mobility device with them to another level such as a porch, garage entry or terrace.
Vertical Porch Lifts carry the mobility device and passenger to porches, decks, or any area with vertical access.
An Incline Platform Lift functions on a stairway and carries the individual with a wheel chair.
Sierra Platform Lift carries a wheel chair and the patient up a stairway.
Bath & Bedroom Solutions
Home Renovations
Wider doorways, a roll-in shower, lower countertops, easy-reach electric switches, and many other home renovations make a home safer and more functional. Some renovation companies specialize in converting homes for those in power chairs and wheelchairs.
Accessibility solutions can be customized to the individual, their home and budget. Most important is that patients become aware that options are available. That knowledge can go far in enabling them to explore the best solutions in order to live at home safely, for as long as possible.
Patient Resources for Age in Place Planning
The Age in Place website offers a range of advice for individuals, including an excellent patient questionnaire that helps them plan for senior years based on physical, social and financial factors.
For additional information, referrals and funding resources, contact local centers of the National Council for Independent Living.
¹Extent of coverage depends on specific insurance plan, benefits, configuration and eligibility. Valid doctor's prescription required.
This article is for informational purposes and is not a guarantee of financial assistance from, or an endorsement of, any particular resource mentioned within its contents.