Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence Home

Contact Us

About Us
Dot Our Mission
Dot Overview
Dot Our Staff
Dot Directions

News and Events
Dot 2010 HDSA Iowa City Hoop-A-Thon
Dot HD Center Newsletter (HIND-Sight)
   •Web-Exclusive Articles

Patient Information
Dot Huntington Disease Topics
Dot Patient Resources
Dot Support Groups
Dot Current Research Studies



   

Home Safety


Bathroom Tips
  • Install grab bars in the bathroom and shower stall.
  • Textured strips can be glued onto the bottom of the shower stall or bathtub to improve traction.
  • Toilet seats can be elevated with spacer blocks and handles can be attached either permanently or temporarily around the toilet to give the person something to hold on to.

Floor Coverings

  • People who have trouble walking have difficulty making transitions between different floor surfaces. Throw rugs should be avoided. They can bunch up, leaving an obstacle that is easy to trip over.

Furniture

  • If the person with Huntington's disease stumbles frequently, look to see if your furniture is strong enough to help them prevent falling when they reach out to grab it. Table lamps are easily knocked over. Try to move them to the corners of the room.

Fire Safety

  • Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed close to your bedrooms and tested monthly to make certain that they are in working order. In many cities in the US you can place a reflective sticker in the windows of bedrooms where children, elderly, and those with disabilities sleep. These stickers alert firefighters to look for people in those rooms in case of fire. Check with your local fire department before placing them in your windows.
Communication
Eating and Swallowing
Home Safety
Physicians Guide

 

Last modification date: Fri Oct 9 09:28:42 2009
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/huntingtonsdisease/patientinformation/homesafety.html