Home Accident Prevention - Elderly

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Home Accident Prevention for Elderly

PREFACE

When growing old, the physical ability of elderly people gradually wanes, making them prone to accidents. It may result in injury, hospitalization, or even loss of self-care ability owing to disability. This pamphlet aims at providing for the elderly some measures in preventing home accident, first aid measures and how to call for help.

 

FALL

Cause:

Environmental factors, gait instability, impaired vision, etc.

Prevention:

  • Keep floors free of obstructions.
  • Ensure adequate lighting in household area.
  • Avoid stepping on foldable chair.
  • Keep floor dry. Constantly check floor surface for any wear and tear.
  • Avoid standing on “step” next to windows when posting out bamboo to sun dry clothing.
  • Place non-slippery mattress on the floor of bathroom.
  • Exercise regularly to strengthen gait and power.
  • Ensure length of trousers and shirts not being too long.
  • Ensure a balanced gait during walking. Walk slowly. If necessary, use walking aids.
  • Use suitable corrective lens to ensure a good vision.

First Aid:

  1. Don't panic. Call for help immediately if necessary.
  2. Examine the patient if the airway is clear (e.g. can talk or not); if breathing is adequate and circulation is normal (observe colour of the face, depth and rate of breathing).
  3. If breathing and circulation are normal, check for any other injuries on the body.
  4. If bleeding occurs, ensure that there is no foreign body in the wound. Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding by covering a clean gauze on it and add pressure on the gauze by your hand. Elevate the injured limb.
  5. If deformity is found on the injured part, do not move it and call for help immediately.

 

CHOKING

Cause:

Talk or laugh when eating; size or texture of food not suitable for elderly etc.

Prevention:

  • Before a meal, chop food into small pieces.
  • During a meal, chew thoroughly before swallowing.
  • Do not talk or laugh during chewing or swallowing food.
  • Ensure the set of denture is in its fixed position and not loose.
  • Be more cautious when taking soft and sticky food.

First Aid:

  1. Do not panic.
  2. Call for help immediately.
  3. Perform CPR if necessary.

 

ACCIDENTAL POISONING/DRUG OVERDOSE

Cause:

Inadequate knowledge about drugs, non-compliance to prescription, taking other person's drugs etc.

Precaution:

  • Never buy or use over-the-counter drugs. Consult doctor when feeling sick.
  • Never take other person's drugs.
  • Before taking drug, check carefully it is the right drug, taken at the right time, through the right route and at the right dosage.
  • Never place different drugs into the same container. Empty containers should be disposed of and not to use to store other drugs.

First Aid:

  1. Do not panic. Call for help immediately.
  2. Examine the patient if the airway is clear (e.g. can talk or not); if breathing is adequate and circulation is normal (observe colour of the face, depth and rate of breathing).
  3. Perform CPR if necessary.
  4. If the patient is unconscious but the airway is clear, breathing & circulation are normal, turn the patient to lateral position.
  5. If the patient is conscious, fed with a large amount of water. But, do not induce vomiting.
  6. Bring along with any vomitus and remains of drugs taken when seeking medical treatment.

 

BURNS/SCALDS

Cause:

Carelessness, general disregard of safety, etc.

Prevention:

  • While cooking, pay extra attention to the stove fire and the cooking utensil. Turn the pan handle away from the front and close to the wall.
  • When opening the lid of a cooking utensil, take extra care to the steam.
  • Be careful when handling boiling oil, hot water or soup.
  • If need to hold hot materials, use insulated gloves.
  • Ensure all food and drink is at a reasonable temperature before eating or drinking.
  • All hot objects including an iron or containers with hot matter must not be placed near the margin of a table or desk.
  • Test the temperature of water before bathing.
  • Take extra care when using an electric heater in winter time. Never place clothing on it for pre-warming. Do not burn charcoal or light fire to keep warmth at home.
  • Due to certain diseases, e.g. stroke, diabetes etc., skin senses would be much reduced. Take extra care when touching hot objects.

Treatment:

  1. Do not panic. If necessary, call for help immediately.
  2. Examine the patient if general appearance (e.g. well or unwell and conscious or unconscious) and responsiveness (e.g. ability to talk and walk without difficulty) are different from usual.
  3. Examine the burnt or scalded sites.
  4. Rinse the burned/scalded area with a stream of running water to cool down and ease the pain. If the patient feels chilled, stop rinsing.
  5. Cover the burned/scalded area with dressings or cling film to minimize the risk of bacterial infections.
  6. Never apply toothpaste, soy sauce or other ointments on the injured sites.
  7. Treat the blister with care and do not puncture it.
  8. Do not tear off any burned clothing that sticks on the injured site.
  9. Avoid putting ice to the wound so as to prevent frost bite.
  10. Carefully remove tight jewellery and clothing on the wound.

 

CALLING FOR HELP

  1. If necessary, call for ambulance service at 999 or the Fire Services Communication Centre at 27353355.
  2. Do not panic.
  3. Tell the call-taker how the injury happens and which part of the patient's body is injured.
  4. Tell the call-taker if the patient is conscious.
  5. Clearly tell the call-taker the address where the accident happens, the route leading to this address, and your contact telephone number.
  6. Do not hang up the phone until the call-taker had no further question. Do not rush. 3

 

CONCLUSION

Accident could not be completely avoided, but its occurrence could be prevented. For the elderly, effective prevention could much reduce the occurrence of accident, thus alleviating the adverse effect on their physiological and psychological health, and also enhancing their self-care ability, leading to a healthy life.