It wasn’t until after the completion of the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool (HSSAT) on a home of a elder adult that I realized that the basic things in the home could cause an incredible strain on the health care system and the recovery a patient if an injury should occur.
The assessment allowed me to look at basic home appliances, home decor, and something that look aesthetically pleasing to the eye could be a potential hazard. Looking at the living room, the unsecured throw rugs could cause an unintended slip or fall and having item higher in the cabinet allows for additional steps to increase the chances of falling. Even with the recommended sturdy step stool to use in order to reach higher items, the risk of falling is still relatively high.
I found that the the highest and most riskiest room is the bathroom. Multiple areas in the bathroom needed modifications in order to make safe. The bathroom was a stand up shower with glass sliding windows. One would assume that due to the ability to walk right in the shower the risk for a fall is decreased; however, standing showers comes with their own risks as well. Grab bars, anti slip mat are especially needed in a standing shower.
All these modifications are especially important for patients who have already had a fall or had surgery and is in recovery in order to return back. Assessment of ADL’s will determine the amount of home modifications that is needed to aid in the recovery process.
Advanced Health Assessment Blog 