Heart of the Home Safety Tips

Occupational therapists help to develop, recover and maintain everyday activities for individuals. The kitchen is often seen as the heart of the home, a space where people spend a lot of time cooking, gathering, and eating, but the kitchen and other areas of your home can pose a lot of challenges for people who are aging. Due to shaky balance, low vision and slower reflexes, many aspects of the kitchen and your home can be dangerous for seniors.

Household Organization

  • Keep often used items within reach.
  • Move any items you use most out of the highest and lowest cabinets and shelves, and into easily reachable cabinets and drawers.
  • Store heavy items on a counter or at waist level to avoid bending and straining your back.
  • Keep drawers and cabinets closed when not in use.

Remember the Lights

  • Be sure you have ample lighting near the area you are working in the kitchen or other rooms.

Home Floors

  • Remove any rugs that slide.
  • If using an anti-fatigue mat in the kitchen, be sure it is secured to the floor to prevent falls.

Useful Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

  • Use an easy grip opener to help open those tight bottles and jars.
  • Have access to a Reacher grabber to avoid bending over to reach for an item on the floor.
  • Keep a magnifying glass handy to assist in reading labels.
  • Set timers  to avoid overcooking or burning foods.
  • Be sure to have a steady stool in your home for times when you need a rest.
  • Use different cutting boards for different foods. RED for meats  and GREEN for vegetables to avoid foodborne illnesses.
  • Use pots and pans with handles on both sides for easier lifting. Keep the handles turned so they are not sticking out over the edge of the stove or counter to avoid a spill which could lead to a fall.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy provides residents with the tools to optimize their home environments relative to individual abilities and promote full participation in daily life activities. As the population of older adults continues to grow, home modifications are a key factor in enabling individuals to age in place.

What is a Home Safety Assessment?

A home safety assessment is an in-person review by a licensed Occupational Therapist. The purpose of the assessment is to help the resident identify areas in the home which could lead to a fall or other injury and provide recommendations or modifications to increase usage, safety, security, and independence.

For more information on safety and independence in your home, talk to your Tx:Team Rehabilitation team!

Tx:Team Announces Partnership with Beth Cisco

Tx:Team is excited to announce our strategic partnership with Cisco Consulting Group, and specifically, Beth Cisco.  Beth will utilize her wealth of experience and expertise in hospital and employer-based healthcare solutions to advise our executive team on business development, brand refinement, and marketing strategies. Welcome, Beth!

Beth Cisco

Beth Cisco, Principal of Cisco Consulting Group, has over 24 years of experience in the areas of strategic marketing; account and relationship management; brand development and management; marketing communications; public relations; and business solutions development and execution specific to the employer segment. Much of her background has been focused in the healthcare sector, working with self-funded employers, hospitals and health systems, physician groups, and medical device and product manufacturers. Beth has presented on healthcare marketing topics at the national level, including American College of Healthcare Executives and HealthGrades, and has led award-winning teams recognized by American Advertising Awards, Healthcare Marketing Report and Telly Awards.

Beth has consulted for a number of prominent healthcare organizations, including Hendricks Regional Health, Hancock Health, and Ascension.  Prior to starting her own company, Beth was Chief Marketing Officer at St. Vincent Health, overseeing all aspects of marketing and communications for the 23 Indiana-based hospital system. Previous roles also include Vice President of Marketing, Development and Guest Relations at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana; consultant with Health Evolutions; and partner at St. Claire Cisco Group, a former Indianapolis-based strategic marketing and communications firm. She looks forward to building long-term, valuable relationships and delivering measurable results for Tx:Team’s clients.

Beth is very involved in the community having served or currently serving on the boards of American Heart Association (Midwest Affiliate); Cancer Support Community; Little Red Door Cancer Agency; Indiana Repertory Theatre; Mentoring Women’s Network; and The New Harmony Project. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and retreating to the mountains of Colorado.