In my role as a hospitalist, I am always happy when a patient is healthy enough to be discharged. A resounding majority of people want to go back to their home after they leave the hospital. What we do not want is an unsafe environment leading to repeat injuries resulting in a hospital readmission.  

At discharge we can have members of the Home Health team perform a “Home Safety Evaluation.” Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and sometimes Speech Therapists will evaluate a person’s home for safety concerns and ensure it is set up optimally for best function. The team looks at areas where injuries typically occur. This could include the installation of grab bars in the bathroom or having a shower chair. Paying attention to slipping or falling hazards – such as throw rugs or loose stair railings. Good lighting, especially on stairs and in hallways, can help prevent tripping and falling.  

Before hospital discharge Physical Therapists will evaluate how well a person can walk including their balance. If there are steps in the home, they will ensure the ability to navigate stairs is evaluated. They perform tests which can help predict who is at a higher risk for falling. The proverb may be, pride goeth before a fall, but a walker or cane could help prevent that.  Unfortunately, too often pride is the reason that the walker or cane is not used in the first place. Using someone else’s old walker may be a bargain, but proper walker and cane height is important. A used device may be more dangerous if not adjusted properly and therapists can help confirm they are at the correct height. 

Occupational Therapists evaluate a person’s ability to perform “Activities of Daily Living.” These include being able to feed, dress or bathe themselves, and using the bathroom. They have lots of assistive devices, tricks and tips to assist people if arthritis, injuries, or recent surgery prevents the person from moving like normal.  

Speech Therapists are asked at times to assess a person’s cognition and “safety awareness.” They evaluate and determine if this person can the person recognize an emergency and get to safety or call for help. With dementia, the part of the brain responsible for logic and good decision making is no longer working. Dementia patients often make impulsive mistakes such as walking into traffic or forgetting to turn the stove off after cooking.  

There is no place like home, but it needs to be a safe home. With a few tips and modifications, your home can be a safer place to live thereby keeping you there longer. We want you to “Stay healthy in there.”

Richard P. Holm, MD passed away in March 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He is founder of The Prairie Doc®. For free and easy access to the entire Prairie Doc® ® library, visit www.prairiedoc.org and follow Prairie Doc® on Facebook. Dr. Jill Kruse is a hospitalist at the Brookings Health System in Brookings, SD.