New Program: Simple Home Repairs

News you can use

I've developed a new program at the request of Lynne Beam, Lana Stidham, Lindsay Ensley and Tracey Watts. It's called Simple Home Repairs.

Housing question of the week: How can I access Simple Home Repairs?

Please let me know if you'd like to use it. I have it stored in a DropBox folder. I'll grant you access to the PPT, teaching guide, and Safety Evaluation.

If you do the program, please give me feedback! I am open to comments and suggestions.

Where does this information fit on the ISSUE TEAMS?

I am going to include Simple Home Repairs under Safety, as many injuries/accidents happen at home. Maintaining property is a primary way to reduce risk.

Housing picture

This is a picture of cracked bathroom tile. The tile cracked as a result of the recent earthquakes. 

It's proactive to be watchful, looking for subtle signs of damage. Checking these little problems can prevent major headaches later!

 

Anything else I can think of that might help you in your work

This summer, I am bursting at the seams with programming ideas. I am working on the OHCE state lesson, 7 Steps to a Healthy Home. Here is what you will get: Seven 15 min. leader lessons. You can pick the topic you'd like to cover in the desired 15 minute format.

Stay tuned!

GP

Preventing Falls + Safety Issue team

News you can use

My neighbor, Ms. Ruth, is 97 years old. She wanted to remain in her house. She lived independently, with regular visitors.

We came back from New Mexico, to the news that Ms. Ruth had fallen in her garage, and had laid there for some untold time until the neighbor found her. She was life flighted to Tulsa, where she remains in a medically induced coma. I know that Ms. Ruth wanted to stay in the home peacefully, and not be forced out as a result of a terrible accident.


Housing question of the week 
Research shows that people want to remain in their homes. As we age, our housing needs change. What no-cost and low cost actions can people take to reduce the risk of falls? Stay tuned for a new leader lesson!

Where does this information fit on the ISSUE TEAMS?

Falls prevention via basic home modification is a perfect fit for the safety issue team.  

Housing picture

See the measurements on the photo?

• 32”: Refers to how much clearance you should have to enter a seating area in addition to being comfortable for people walking through, 32” is wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through
• 18”: Refers to how far a coffee table, if you choose to have one, should be placed from a seating area such as a sofa. 18” is wide enough to let a person walk through, but not too wide for accessibility purposes

Anything else I can think of that might help you in your work.

I have been focusing efforts on home safety lately.

• Leilana (Ag Comm) has developed some falls prevention news releases
• Check out the new Research Brief about Older Adults' Opinions on Housing
• I am also going to make a 15-minute leader lesson about spacing furniture to reduce the risk of falls. Please share a story. I will incorporate it into the Leader Lesson. If you've got a picture, that's even better!
  
  
  Please stay tuned! 
  
  
  Thank you!

Thanks you!