Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program Client Success Stories

With only a few modifications, you can make remaining in your home safer and easier. Prior to his 2017 hip replacement, 78-year-old John loved living and working on his ranch home. However, between the surgery and its complications, John never fully recovered his mobility, and it became a barrier for him to perform the never-ending chores around a ranch. Even routine bathing became difficult. John’s wife Betty called the Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program for help. They helped to provide the couple with two grab bars for the shower, a hand-held shower head, a bath bench, and a toilet seat riser. John now feels more stable and sturdier while bathing himself thanks to the addition of these durable medical equipment aids and accessories.

Losing a loved one is never easy. Losing a child is especially traumatic. For 60-year-old Hilda, the loss of her daughter in a car accident was both unexpected and distressing. The trauma affected Hilda emotionally, mentally, and physically. In fact, Hilda had several recent falls within her own home resulting in injuries, which only added to her stress, as she was afraid that she might fall again. The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program went out and assessed her home. They installed a grab bar in her master bathroom and Hilda now feels more confident showering and has no fears of falling again. I am so thankful for this program and what they provided me with, she says.

Deanna, 74, lives alone and has experienced several falls resulting in injuries, including a broken shoulder that she’s still healing from. Additionally, her vision and hearing impairments often affect her balance and mobility. The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program assessed Deanna’s home and installed two grab bars in and around her shower. Because Deanna has a shower/tub combination, getting in and out of the shower is difficult for her. The grab bars have provided her with the security she needs while showering, especially with her broken shoulder. Deanna beams, I want to tell all my friends how much I love this program and get them some help, too!

The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program received a call from a concerned mother requestingdurable medical equipment aides installed in her bathroom. The mother, who is limited to a wheelchair, lives with her adult son who is developmentally disabled,and wheelchair bound. The single-wide trailer home where they reside has only one bathroom. With the installation of an additional shower grab bar and a non-slip permanent mat as provided by Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program, the mother feels safer and less at risk of falling while showering. She added that the installation was done very professionally, and the installer was very knowledgeable. The installation of an additional shower grab bar and a non-slip permanent mat means the mother feels safer with less risk of falling while showering. She added the installation was very professional and the installer was very knowledgeable.

Several falls over the past six months with some resulting in injuries is worrisome for anyone. For Mr. Audugbon, 79, it’s given him a constant fear of falling while doing any type of daily activity. He has trouble getting off the toilet and struggles standing up when showering. Even though he lives with his adult daughter, who helps take care of him on a regular basis, she can’t be there to help 24/7. The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program provided an assessment of Mr. Audugbon’s home. The installation of a grab bar near his toilet and a second one inside his shower greatly relieved his fear of falling. Mr. Audugbon also benefited from the Ceres Fire Department installing three smoke detectors and one carbon monoxide detector on the same day.

Between having a long list of medical conditions that increase her risk of falling and the fact she’s had multiple falls within the past few years, it’s not surprising that 63-year-old Lori does not feel safe walking in her own home. After a few hospital visits due to her past falls, Lori’s caregiver received a Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program brochure. A simple phone call resulted in a home assessment, which later led to the installation of a bed rail, two-bathroom grab bars, and a shower bench being provided. Lori now feels much more comfortable in her home and feels safer knowing that she has something sturdy to grab onto if she feels unsteady while showering. Lori says I’m so happy I found Dignity at Home, Lori says. It has helped me so much in a short amount of time. The install was about a week ago, and it is amazing how much safer I feel already.

Evelyn, 81, lives alone and requires her walker to move around her house. Unfortunately, her home is not designed to accommodate a walker. There are several steps leading up to her front door and, once inside, a step down into her living room. Out of necessity, her hall closet doorknob became her make-shift grab bar to allow her to step down and move her walker into position. The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program assessed Evelyn’s home and installed a grab bar near her inside step, eliminating her potentially hazardous grasp on the closet doorknob.

Outside, a sturdy ramp with handrails on both sides was added to make entering the home much easier, especially after her grocery shopping. Additionally, a shower seat and hand-held shower bracket were installed in her shower. The bracket means that Evelyn can now hang the shower head rather than leaving it dangling on the shower floor as a potential fall hazard. Evelyn said all the improvements make her feel much safer and more comfortable in her home.

Our client is an older adult female who is cared for by her daughter. The combination of being non-ambulatory and requiring a wheelchair made bathing difficult. The installation of a bathtub transfer bench made entering and exiting the tub/shower so much easier,and both the mother and daughter love it. The convenience and ease-of-use offered by the bench means the mother can again enjoy bathing in the shower. Our client is so thrilled, she rates the Dignity at Home Program 5 stars.