Holiday Gifts for Safety & Fall Prevention *2016 UPDATE*

Posted November 4, 2015

For Older Adults

Select gifts for travelling

• emergency kit for the car


• car blankets and extra warm clothing


• cellular phone or calling card


• taxi vouchers


• travel with agencies that specialize in older adults

Select gifts which help prevent unintentional falls

• offer to shovel snow or arrange for someone else to do it


• offer to do household chores that require lifting, reaching or using the stairs or a ladder


• offer to do or have someone else do a home safety assessment


• offer to accompany the person for a medication assessment with a pharmacist or physician


• offer to create a list of emergency phone numbers in large print and have it laminated – include grocery stores/restaurants/pharmacies that deliver


• bag of salt/sand mixture, kitty litter or special de-icer friendly to shrubs and sidewalk


• nightlights


• cordless telephones


• personal emergency/protection alarm


• grip bars for the bathtub and toilet


• small clothes baskets or carriers which avoid awkwardness and imbalance


• non-alcoholic beverages for holiday celebrations


• specialty safety items from your pharmacy or therapy retailer (such as a hand gripper for reaching high places)


• a pill dispenser from your pharmacy and a free medication record book from the Public Health Unit to promote safe use of medications


• firm slippers with a non-slip sole


• boots with a good grip on the soles


• gift certificates for sturdy walking shoes and snowshoes


• warm and comfortable outer clothing


• housecoats short enough to prevent tripping


• hip protectors


• pay a neighbourhood teenager to pick up the weekly newspaper from end of driveway and/or take out garbage and recycling (or offer to do that yourself)


• portable power switches for turning on lights or electronic items from 30 feet away


• nutrition supplements (meal replacements)

For the Home

Select GIFTS which protect everyone in the home

• smoke detectors or batteries for the smoke detector


• carbon monoxide monitors


• fire extinguishers (talk to your insurance agent)


• safety items for the fireplace or barbeque


• safe and sturdy step stools or ladders


• renovation of unsafe stairs or any other hazards in the home


• repair of any wobbly furniture


• a large canvas bag to put on the stairway so items won’t be left loose to trip over


• bath mats or adhesives to avoid slipping in the tub


• floor mats with safe backing for outside the tub to absorb moisture and prevent falling


• bright light bulbs


• arrange for extra electrical wiring for any poorly lit areas to avoid overloaded outlets


• replacement of any electrical appliances that need a new cord or plug


• welcome mats and large indoor mats or trays to absorb moisture from wet boots


• motion sensor lights for outside


• large print clocks and watches


• canned goods and other nonperishable foods (for times when they can’t get out of the house due to weather etc.)


• Meals on Wheels


• cosmetic bags with attachable handles to attach to walkers and wheel chairs to carry personal items

gifts that can also help to prevent injuries for caregivers

• Bidet-style toilet so caregiver does not have to lean over client for cleansing (the toilet provides a warm water wash and dry)


• Temporary poles/grab bars to assist the client in and out of bed and on and off toilet


• Offer to give the caregiver time off by caring for the loved one


• Take food, gifts, items that are enjoyable for the caregiver


• Offer to drive or pay transportation for the loved one and caregiver


• Tell the caregiver (often) how much their care is appreciated!


• Connect the caregivers to websites where others are having similar experiences
  
  
  
  • ElderCaring.ca (Canadian)
  
  
  • AgingCare.com (American)