CNS Home Health & Hospice

Older adults sustain injuries in and around their homes every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that on average 1.4 million people aged 65 and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with consumer products.Falls in and around the home are a top cause of injuries to older citizens. The rate of injury is the highest for people 75 years of age and older. Many of these and other injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking simple steps to correct them, you can prevent injuries to yourself or visitors to your home.Begin making your home safe by going through your home room-to-room. Make sure hallways and walkways are clear and free of obstacles. Remove throw rugs and runners.If you have stairs in your home, make sure there is at least one hand rail. Two rails are ideal. Check to make sure they are anchored and can support weight.Ensure you have adequate and reachable lighting in every area of your home. Consider changing your bulbs to new energy efficient lighting.Check to make sure that items you use regularly are within reach of your bed or chair. If you need to reach something, its best to avoid the need to climb or stand on objects.Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. Keep an easy-to-use fire extinguisher in an accessible place.It may be a good time to install a grab bar in your bathroom next to the toilet or in the bathtub. A riser or frame over your toilet makes it higher and easier to get on and off. Would a shower bench or chair in your bathtub make it easier to bathe? Hand-held shower heads are easy to install. Non-skid mats or decals in the shower/tub prevent the chance of falls.And finally, make sure you have a phone within easy access at all times in case you ever need to contact emergency services.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Janel Wangsvick-Lane, OTR/L , Director of Therapy Services and Occupational Therapist for Community Nursing Services. She may be reached at 801-233-6100 or by email at [email protected]

Everyone grieves differently.Grieving is a very personal and highly individual experience. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experience, your faith and the nature of the loss. The grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it cant be forced or hurried. There is no normal timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months while others it takes years. Whatever your grief experience, its important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.The following misconceptions and beliefs are prevalent in our culture and reflect a misunderstanding of the grief process. Absolute statements mistakenly attempt to provide information for how grief is experienced and result in hindering rather than helping people through their grief.Time takes care of everythingThe pain will go away faster if you ignore itIts important to be strong in the face of lossIf you don't cry, it means you aren't sorry about the lossGrief lasts six months to a yearGrief always brings family togetherYou can grieve too muchThe five grief responses are:Denial: This cant be happening to me.Anger: Why is this happening to me? Who is to blame?Bargaining: Make this not happen and in return I willDepression: Im too sad to do anything.Acceptance: Im at peace with what happened.If you are experiencing any of these emotions following a loss, know that your reaction is natural and keep in mind that not everyone who grieves goes through all of these stages. These are not stops on some linear timeline. Some people resolve their grief without going through any of these stages. Contrary to popular belief you do not have to go through every stage to heal. Dont worry about what you should be feeling or which stage youre supposed to be in at any particular time.The grieving process is as individual as our lives. Whatever your grief experience, its important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to unfold naturally. Editors Note: This article based on content from the CNS bereavement program and was submitted by Kimberly Dansie, HFA, MBA. She serves as Vice President of Business Development with Community Nursing Services (CNS) & may be reached at (801) 639-5433 or by e-mail at [email protected]