Senior Advocate: Changes can make homes safer for all residents
Mar
5
Written by:
3/5/2009 10:28 AM
By Betty Berry
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Q: My dad will be coming to live with me in my home. He has some problems with mobility, and I want to make the house as free from potential falls as possible. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do?
A: One of the added benefits of making your home safe for your dad is it will also be safer for you and the rest of your family, as anyone can take a tumble if areas are not well lit and free of clutter.
The suggested safety measures will be helpful for all.
- Bathrooms account for many falls. Adding grab bars in the shower, tub and toilet areas will make getting around in this room much safer.
A word of caution about installation of grab bars: They must be attached directly into the studs in order to provide the strength needed when grabbed.
If you don’t know how to do the installation, I strongly suggest you have it done by a professional, as it is well worth the money.
Incorrectly installed grab bars are more dangerous than no bars at all.
If you use bath mats in the tub or shower, make sure they have suction cups to hold them securely to the bottom.
Better still, consider replacing mats with nonslip adhesive strips attached directly to the foot surface areas. Also consider a sitting bench or stool in the shower.
An elevated toilet seat might also prove helpful.
- In the bedroom, make sure you have a lamp or light switch that can be easily reached without having to get out of bed. Also, bedrooms as well as hallways and bathrooms should be equipped with night lights.
- Stairs can be a real problem. You should have light switches at both ends of the staircase. Handrails should also be installed on both sides of the stairs and should go all the way to the top and bottom steps. Many a fall occurs on the last step or two.
- Added lighting aids include equipping every room in the house with a flashlight and leaving lights on so that you never have to enter a dark house and search for lights. It also is a good idea to leave a light or two burning during the night.
- Carpets and rugs have a real potential for disaster. Tack rugs and glue vinyl flooring so they lie flat.
If rugs or runners tend to slip and slide, either remove them or use nonslip backing to hold then in place. If your stairs are carpeted, make sure the carpet is firmly attached to the tread.
- General clutter should be eliminated or at least brought to a minimum. Make sure all telephone and electrical cords are out of any pathways.
- While making the inside of your house safe, don’t forget the outside. Outdoor steps can cause trouble; paint the edge of each step in a contrasting color to ensure it will be seen. You might want to consider mixing the paint for the steps with a light mixture of sand to provide better traction.
Lighting of walkways and outdoor stairs also is most important. Make sure all steps have a handrail that is sturdy.
Q: While paying into Social Security, I have had several name changes. How can I determine if my earnings records are accurate?
A: I asked Social Security to explain the process followed when it receives an earnings report that does not match the name and Social Security number in the files.
The agency goes to great lengths to find the correct record in which to credit the earnings. It checks for common errors such as use of nicknames, misspellings or transposition of letters or numerals. If these methods don’t work, it attempts to contact the worker or employer to resolve the discrepancy.
If the earnings remain unassignable, they are placed in a “suspense” file, but the investigation continues.
You can help ensure accurate records. When a name change occurs, advise Social Security so it can update the records.
If you change jobs, use the same name with each employer. Avoid using nicknames on your payroll records. Review your W-2 form to make sure your employer has your correct name and Social Security number.
Check your records by requesting a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate statement by calling 800-772-1213 or visiting the Social Security Web site at http://www.ssa.gov.
If you find an error, contact Social Security so it can investigate the discrepancy.
— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are in the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.