Risk Assessments for Older Adults

For information, contact: Nancy Esson, Business Development
[email protected]
705-293-5500

The European Commission reports that by 2025, more than 20 percent of Europeans will be aged 65 or older with a rapid increase of those over the age of 80.  In Japan, the 65 and over population is expected to escalate to 40 percent by 2050.  The Ministry of Health in Brazil projects 32 million people over the age of 60 in the country by 2020—a 500 percent increase in 40 years.

No matter where older adults live in the world, the majority want to stay in their home as they age.  Sometimes health conditions and the condition of the home itself are barriers.  The floors may be too slick. The stairs too many.  Or, the elder is limited physically or cognitively in managing the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining a home.  Canada’s British Columbia Medical Journal lists a number of red flags with vulnerable adults over age 65 who are living at home and at greater risk for injury or other adverse circumstances based on a number of internal and external factors including:

• Overall health

• Social relationships

• Mental functioning

• Financial stability

• Mobility

A thorough risk assessment can help reduce the potential for injuries and make everyday tasks easier for older individuals.  Improved convenience and safety can range from removing clutter to extensive home renovations.  Sometimes in cases of intolerable risk because of dangerous behaviors, imminent harm or unsafe surroundings, concerned loved ones or legal authorities are needed to intervene on behalf of the elder.

Individuals transferring from a hospital or other care facility back to their home are at particular risk for falls and relapses in health and need a thorough assessment before leaving a full-time care environment.  For example, the Victorian government of Australia publishes a detailed overview of what everyone should know about assessment for older people.  Depending on whether an elder has specific health requirements for the home, it may be advisable to consult with an occupational therapist or programs like RightTransitions.   The RightTransitions program from senior care provider Right at Home Georgian Triangle helps ageing individuals make a smooth transfer home after hospitalization or release from a rehabilitation or care center.

“Our Custom Care process provides a health and home risk evaluation before we ever match a home caregiver to an elderly client,” Adrienne Wood, Care Planner for the Georgian Triangle region explains.  “Continual monitoring by our in-home care professionals identifies if we find a health change or a safety or accessibility problem in the home.  We keep families updated about these concerns and also offer a free Home Safety Checklist.”

In addition to the helpful safety checklist, Adrienne recommends the elder along with relatives or friends periodically go through each room in the home listing any areas needing improvement.  It is also important the elder stays current with regular doctor visits and vision and dental exams to help detect and treat any health problems.  A risk assessment of older adults typically includes the following checklist:

                Health Condition

__ Ability to complete functional tasks

__ Appropriate self-care (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.)

__ Vision or hearing difficulties
__ Fall risk and fall history

__ Mood and depressive symptoms

__ Nutrition / weight change

__ Medication use

Home Surroundings

__ Flooring free of cracks, splits and up-turned edges

__ Carpets secure with no loose or torn patches

__ Stairs and inclines in good condition

__ Bright lighting with handy, easy-control switches

__ Properly grounded electrical outlets within easy reach

__ Easy-to-use faucets, cabinet doorknobs and oven controls

__ Grab bars where needed for support

__ Simple control of sink / shower / tub faucets’ water temperature

__ Nonslip surfaces in the bathtub or shower

__ Door openings wide enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair

For more comprehensive information about how to safeguard an elder’s home and prevent falls and other accidents, Esson recommends the free Fall Prevention Guide as an invaluable resource.  “Risk assessments absolutely reduce injuries and save the lives of countless older adults,” Wood says.  “It is important to remember that these assessments are not simply a once in a lifetime evaluation, but should be part of an ongoing care plan for every elder.”

About Right at Home Canada

With a unique approach and a higher level of quality of care, Right at Home Canada offers both non-medical and medical care to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home Canada provides the Right Care, focusing on the Right People doing the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reason. Right at Home Canada has offices in Burlington, Oakville, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Mississauga, Hamilton, Georgian Triangle, Brampton, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Etobicoke South/West Toronto, Etobicoke North and Calgary. For more information on Right at Home Canada, visit About Right at Home Canada at www.rightathomecanada.com or contact your local office at 13 Ontario Street, Collingwood, Ontario at 705-293-5500 or by email at [email protected]