Accident prevention

The elderly are one of the largest risk groups and suffer many preventable accidents. Accidents are the leading cause of injury and disability and the fifth leading cause of death in people over 75 years of age.

Here are the basic measures that must be taken to prevent falls, poisoning or burns.

Falls

they are the most frequent accidents in the elderly. To this contribute factors of the same nature of the elderly, who already present degenerative alterations, origin of greater muscle weakness and a deficiency in the relationship systems such as balance, sight and hearing.

To avoid falls, certain rules must be followed, both in the attitude of the elderly himself, and in the environment that surrounds him. Falls in the elderly can be very serious, not only because of the trauma itself, but also because of the decompensation that it can produce and the need for bedridden or immobilization that sometimes follows.

Home adaptation

In adapting the home, it is important to bear in mind that major changes in the usual environment can be detrimental, making you feel more confused and upset, as you cannot recognize the news. Despite this, it would be advisable to modify some things to prevent accidents, always gradually.

Bedroom

• Place the bed in such a way that the patient can go up and down without discomfort; normally it is necessary to raise the bed about 20-30 cm to facilitate mobility and aid.
• Remove the mat or fix it to the floor to prevent it from slipping.
• Fix the bedside lamp to the wall or table to prevent it from being dropped and install an easy-to-manipulate system to turn it on and off.
• Provide correct lighting in the bedroom (permanent light pilot), adequate signage (letters and images on the doors) and lighting of the path between the bedroom and the bathroom, or place luminescent bands or arrows that indicate the way.

Kitchen

• Storage of objects between hip and eye level. Frequently used objects placed in the most accessible places.
• Stairs or stools: with very safe steps if it is necessary to rise to catch something.
• Table: firm and fixed.
• Cooker and oven: Replace, if possible, the gas oven with an electric stove; if not, install a gas leak detector device or make it unusable when not in use.
• Heater: Lock in intermediate position. It will avoid hot water burns.
• Refrigerator: Equip it with a lock.
• Small appliances: Unplug them if they are not being used.
• Soil: Keep it dry to avoid falls.
• Cleaning products: Store them under lock and key.
• Knives and sharp objects: They should be placed out of the reach of the elderly with dementia or psychiatric disorders.
• Crockery: It is recommended to use unbreakable or plastic.

Bath

• Remove the bath mat on which it can slip.
• Anti-slip strips glued to the bottom of the bathtub.
• Maintain a permanent night light.
• Handle that makes it easy to get in and out of the bathtub.
• Avoid being locked up.
• Remove the key from the lock or the door locks from the inside.
• Door closures that guarantee access in an emergency.
• Facilitate the act of bathing him / her:
• Said flexible, more manageable to wash and side bars to grip in the bathtub, shower and WC.
• Toilets at the correct height
• Minimize cleaning supplies and always put them in the same place.
• Do not expose it to sudden changes in temperature.

Soils

• Do not wax them, remove rugs, cables and objects that may obstruct.
• Use suitable footwear: Shoes with a firm sole, non-slip, without friction and with low heels. Avoid walking with socks or loose, wide shoes.
• Make sure that there is good lighting but that it does not dazzle.
• If there are stairs, protect them with handrails on both sides and paint the first and last rungs in a different and striking color so that you recognize the staircase. It must be well lit (pilot lights in specific areas). Non-slip, non-slippery or thick pile mats, non-waxed or slippery floors. Remove cables and small objects.

Poisonings

Other accidents suffered by older adults occur due to intoxications of a different nature:

• By food: They can be due to poorly preserved foods, of which the elderly do not perceive their alterations in smell or taste, or to the confusion of food ingredients for others used for cleaning or disinfection. Food must be well washed (wash fruits and vegetables with water with two drops of bleach for each liter of water), well preserved (frozen, in containers with hermetic closures or sous vide) and well cooked (avoid raw meat and fish ). You must look at the expiration date of the food you eat. Homemade canned goods without guarantees should be rejected.
• By drugs: It is another of the most frequent causes of poisoning in the elderly. The consumption of drugs not prescribed by the doctor should be avoided. Medicines should be stored in the conditions recommended by the manufacturer (cool and dry place and sometimes in the refrigerator). Each medicine should be kept in its original container with its labeling and keep its brochure to know the name and indication of the drug at all times.

It is advisable to know what each of the medications taken is used for and to know the doses and the number of times they must be distributed throughout the day. For this it is advisable to write it down on the packaging. There is a simple method that consists of writing down the number of pills, lozenges, tablespoons, etc. that should be taken per day in the first dose, put a dash, write down the number of pills in the second dose and so on.

For example, if you have to take three pills throughout the day divided into three doses, write on the container 1 - 1 - 1. Another example: if you have to take five pills, so that two are in the first dose, one in the second intake and two in the last, will be noted on the container 2 - 1 - 2.

This simple method can help avoid forgetting, taking more than prescribed, or confusing medications.

• By gas: It is advisable to periodically check the gas installations, never fall asleep on the tables under which braziers or stoves are lit, and check at bedtime that the gas taps are closed.

Burns

They are an important chapter in the accidents that the elderly suffer within the home. A series of rules should be followed:

• If braziers are used, great care must be taken with the stretcher skirts. Keep rags, papers and any material that can catch fire from the stoves and fireplaces.
• Protect all sources of heat so that they cannot cause burns when touched or approached.
• If you smoke and drink, you have to be especially careful to extinguish the cigarette butts well and not throw them on the ground. Never smoke in bed.
• When using hot water bottles, check that they are tightly closed and cover them with a cloth.
• Do not use electric blankets if there are urinary incontinence problems because they could get wet.
• Never use candles or matches. If electric light cannot be used, flashlights will be used.
• If possible, a shower water temperature regulator is advisable to avoid scalding from too hot water. This is of great importance in the elderly with pathologies that lower their threshold for temperature perception.
• Always keep a small fire extinguisher at home and learn how it should be used if necessary.