ASSIST & PFE Safety Guidelines

Southern Adventist University

Outline of Safety Guidelines• I. Safety in retirement

communities * General safety

* Precautions against falls

* Precautions against sexual advances

• II. Safety in elderly person’s homes

* General safety

* Fire safety

(Stove fires & use of fire extinguishers)

• III. Awareness of changes in health

* Signs of a stroke

• IV. Getting to know your elderly friend

* Stereotypes that elderly persons face

* How to understand your elderly friend better

First Meeting & Future MeetingsAsk yourself these four questions…

1) Cognitive level--How well can they follow a conversation and understand instructions?

2) Physical ability--How well can they sit, stand or walk on their own?3) Behavior— Be aware of behavioral concerns. Is his or her behavior out

of the ordinary? 4) Medical condition--What could make them vulnerable to further injury

and how to avoid the possibility. (http://www.osha.gov)

(These are just questions to help you have an awareness of your elderly friend so you and your elderly friend’s interactions can be the bestpossible! )

Precautions against Falls• Always be on the lookout for tripping hazards such as loose or

torn carpeting, loose thresholds, broken tiles and electrical cords.

(http://www.osha.gov)

Safety against Sexual Advances• 1. In a Retirement Home: Be aware of the

residents who have exhibited this behavior in the past.

(contact the social worker)• 2. Always keep the door open as a safety

precaution.

Safety for Elderly Person’s Home in Case of a Stove FireWhat to do-- What not to do--

• Fire Safety1) If a stove fire starts, slide

a lid over the burning pan and turn off the burner.

2) Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool.

(http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html)

• 1) Never pour water on grease fires.

• 2) Never sprinkle flour and other cooking products over the fire as those products can react explosively to flame.

• 3) Never move the pan as movement can cause serious injury or spread the fire.

• 4) Never delay action by looking for a fire extinguisher or baking soda.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

• If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher and get out.

• Most portable extinguishers empty in 8 to 10 seconds.

• After some residential fires, people have been found dead with fire extinguishers near them or in their arms.

• (http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html)

Safety for Elderly Person’s Home•Fire SafetyIf you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door, cracks, and doorknob with the back of your hand before opening the door. If it is cool and there is no smoke at the bottom or top, open the door slowly. Feeling the door will warn you of possible danger. (http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html)

Safety for Elderly Person’s Home•Fire Safety• If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the

smoke to your exit. Fires produce many poisonous gases. Some are heavy and will sink low to the floor; others will rise carrying soot towards the ceiling. Crawling with your head at a level of one to two feet above the ground will temporarily provide the best air.

(http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html)

Safety for Elderly Person’s Home•Fire Safety• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes and you

cannot get outside safely, stay in the room with the door closed. Open the window for ventilation, and hang a sheet outside the window so firefighters can find you. Wait by the window for help. The first thing firefighters will do when they arrive at a fire is check for trapped persons. Hanging a sheet out lets them know where to find you. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

(http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html)

Awareness of changes in health• Signs of a Stroke1) Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg --

especially on one side of the body.2) Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding3) Sudden vision trouble in one or both eyes4) Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or

coordination, dizziness5) Sudden severe headache with no known cause

(http://www.caring.com/articles/signs-that-someon-is-having-a-stroke)

Getting to know your Elderly Friend

Seniors may struggle with …

1)Negative Social Perceptions- As their bodies age, many older people start to face many stereotypes.

They will probably face the idea that they may have dementia as they age. They will also face the physical stereotype that they will become slower and not as active (Barrow & Hillier,2011, p.51).

Stereotypes are Simply Myths Longitudinal studies of the same people over a period of time have found that overall, little intelligence declines. “Older people are just as capable of learning as younger people.” (Barrow & Hillier,2011, p.51)

Older adults are also becoming more active. Activities such as: jogging, aerobics classes, tennis, golf, and bicycling are popular especially with the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation. (Barrow & Hillier,2011, p 51).

Seniors may also struggle with…

Loss- of loved ones, work, living at home and loss of independence.

Change- of health condition, adjusting to a lower income, and adjusting to changing technologies and neighborhood development.

Loneliness- as a result of loss or change

Fear - as a result of loss or change(Barrow & Hillier,2011, pp.72-76)

Seniors are Resilient• Elderly persons have the choice to stay active (given their

health situation), they have a choice to re-marry after the death of a spouse, and they have the choice to respect and enjoy their late years (Barrow & Hillier,2011,p. 75).

Get to know your Elderly Friend

•Some quick tips…

1) Be polite2) Listen3) Ask questions 4) Share a talent or a useful skill (like

teaching about computers)5) Learn from them. (They have

experienced life and have many stories to share.)

References• Barrow, G. & Hillier, S. (2011). Aging, the

individual, and society. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

• Fire, why talk about home fires? Retrieved from http://

www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html/

• Work smart, be safe: An orientation to long-term care safety. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov

References

•Trelogan, S. (n.d.), How to tell is someone is having a stroke. Retrieved from http://www.caring.com/articles/signs-that-

someone-is-having-a-stroke