Interim HealthCare Provides Home Safety Tips for the New Year

SUNRISE, Fla., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to recent studies, accidents at home rank among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. For those over 60, the risk of injury becomes greater.  With 89 percent of aging homeowners preferring to stay in the comfort of their homes longer, this can be very alarming. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent most home accidents. Interim HealthCare, the nation's leading home healthcare franchise, provides simple tips that caregivers and family members looking after loved ones can make in the New Year to ensure they have a safe living environment.   

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"At Interim HealthCare we recognize the importance for caregivers or anyone caring for a loved one in his or her home to take proactive measures to ensure their safety," said Kathleen Gilmartin, CEO of Interim HealthCare. "With the New Year right around the corner, it's a perfect time to take steps towards making any necessary adjustments and home improvements." 

To help caregivers identify potential hazards, Interim HealthCare launched the Hidden Hazards House, an interactive tool in which you help an animated character named "Harold" navigate his house to uncover hidden hazards that can pose a threat to seniors.  This interactive tool is available online by visiting http://bit.ly/HazardsHouse.

The following are a few suggestions that caregivers can use to make their loved ones home a safer place to live:  

• Make sure you replace batteries in all smoke alarms. Almost one-quarter of smoke alarm failures are due to dead batteries.
• Throw out expired, unwanted or unused medications in their medicine cabinet.
• Make sure all medications are clearly labeled.
• Discuss installing grab bars in the bathroom as most accidents and falls happen in the bathroom.
• Consider a personal safety alarm for your loved one. These can be very helpful in the event they cannot reach a telephone or neighbor.
• Go room-by-room and assess potential tripping hazards. Some common problems are area rugs without a nonskid backing, electrical cords lying around walkways and poorly lit staircases or doorways.
• Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach.
• Have emergency numbers in large print placed near each phone.
• Help clean up clutter and piles of paper, which can be a potential fire hazard.

With a network of more than 300 independently owned franchises across the country, Interim HealthCare senior care franchises include non-medical and medical personal care, nursing and healthcare staffing services. The system has a 45-year history within the healthcare industry and many of their franchisees have an average tenure of 24 years.

Each franchisee is committed to improving the lives of their client and communities. Franchise opportunities are available throughout the country. Qualified candidates should possess a minimum net worth of $400,000, and a minimum liquidity of $50,000. Franchisees can expect their initial investment to range from approximately $115,500 to $188,500 including the franchise fee. Additional franchise information is available at www.interimfranchising.com.

About Interim HealthCare:
Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare_® is the nation's first and finest healthcare franchise organization. Through a comprehensive network of more than 300 independently owned franchise offices, Interim HealthCare franchisees are the largest combined provider of community-based home care, health care staffing and hospice services. Interim HealthCare is unique in combining the commitment of local ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards that improve the delivery of service through franchisees that employ more than 75,000 health care workers who serve 50,000 people each day. For more information or to locate an Interim HealthCare office, visit www.interimhealthcare.com.

Media Contact:
Carmen Ordonez
[email protected]
954-893-9150

SOURCE Interim HealthCare

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