FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2007

Home Safety Assessments
- Make your home safe for you and the ones you love-

Basking Ridge, NJ -- Where are you planning to celebrate your 65th birthday? Well, for some 70% of you, this will be the place you will live for the rest of your life. According to a recent AARP poll, almost 9 out of 10 Americans over the age of 60, wish to live out their lives in familiar surroundings. Aging in place, which is “not having to move from one's present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to changing need”, has become a hot button issue. Services offered by organizations such as the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible.

What’s the first step? A complete and thorough Home Safety Assessment conducted by a licensed rehabilitation therapist. The assessment will point out areas in your home that require repairs or modifications, thereby reducing the risk of serious injury. Nearly one third of people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year, and that figure increases to 50% by age 80. Falls are the seventh leading cause of death in people over 65. Health and age-related changes such as the use of certain medications, slow reflexes, poor eyesight or problems with balance are the main causes of falls around the house.

The five most important areas of the home to be assessed are: home entrance, living areas, bathroom (this room can be the most dangerous in your home), bedroom and kitchen.

“After my husband’s stroke, our home needed some significant changes,” stated Carol Stalker. “The therapists from the VNA showed us how to make adjustments, such as adding grab bars and extra steps that aided dramatically in his recovery. Just because the hospital or rehabilitation center releases you, it doesn’t mean you are able to live at home the same way. My husband and I looked forward to our visits from the VNA nurses, occupational and physical therapists. I don’t know how we would have managed his recovery without them.”

It is important to note that the ideal time for a Home Safety Assessment is BEFORE an accident happens, not after. Home accidents are among the most common reason seniors are hospitalized or moved into a residential facility, assisted living or nursing home.
Home safety assessments are available from the VNA on a private pay basis and in some cases may also be covered by Medicare, if you or a loved one is homebound. If you feel you may benefit from a home safety assessment, please contact the VNA of Somerset Hills at (908) 766-0180 ext. 141. For information on additional services to aid “aging in place”, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.visitingnurse.org" www.visitingnurse.org

Among the services provided by the VNA are at-home nursing, Telehealth, Hospice, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Therapies, Friendly Visitor Program, FARE (a caregiver education program), Palliative Care and the Adult Day Center. The organization serves both Somerset and Morris counties.

The mission of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and its subsidiaries is to provide individuals and families with comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective home and community health care services, regardless of ability to pay, using partnerships where appropriate. It is a charitable, tax-exempt home health agency and hospice certified by Medicare, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

PRESS CONTACT: Marie Sperber (908) 766-0180, x. 150

Home • News/Press