Mrs. F is faced with various safety risks at her home and these may also have a negative effect on her husband once he is out of rehab. Firstly, the house is old and has not undergone refurbishment over a long period. Subsequently, Mrs. F is at risk of being exposed to injuries that may arise from breakages in old furniture or parts of the house. Another safety risk arises from the fact that the house is crowded with rugs, photos and small pieces of furniture and this will not only affect Mrs.F but also his sickly husband after getting out of rehab. Overcrowding of the house with old antiques contributes to stuffiness and this will negatively impact her husband’s health.
Management of the risks and making the home
There are various measures that can be implemented in dealing with risks at Mrs. F and husband’s house. The couple has seven children that are willing to help the situation, though Mrs. F has always insisted that they are fine. With the support of the children, it will be necessary for the two-story house to undergo refurbishment. The move will be vital in the elimination of safety risks that may arise from breakages of old equipment or housing parts. Another risk management strategy that will have to be embraced will entail regular cleaning of the house and make sure that is well ventilated. Moreover, old antiques such as furniture, photos, and rugs will have to be disposed to prevent issues of overcrowding that result to stuffiness. After all the above measures are completed, the home will be a safe haven for Mrs. F and her husband to live.
Other safety issues in the scenario
Mrs. F was recently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to her history of smoking. She also has arthritis and walks with a limp. Despite her failing health condition, she believes that she doesn’t need the support of either her children or any other person. Living alone, with her health issues, in a house that has never seen repairs for years is a major safety concern. In the quest for dealing with the issue, a nurse and a counselor will be called upon to advise her on the need of having someone around that will help her with various chores. One of her children can also ensure that he or she visits her parents on a regular basis to ensure that they get proper medication and that they go for regular medical checkups.
Another safety concern that is evident in the case is that Mrs. F has arthritis, yet she hardly uses the assistive device claiming that such gadgets are designed for “sissies.” Such an assumption increases her exposure to safety risks. Living in a two story house, chances of her falling on the staircases are high. Dealing with such a case calls for a nurse or medical practitioner to convince her of the need for relying on assistive devices for walking.
Working with Mrs. F and advice on making her house safe
I will pay a visit to Mrs. F in her house and this will mark the beginning of our journey aimed at ensuring that safety is restored in her home. I will ask her to provide me with detailed information on about her condition and that of the husband. I will also ask her to update me on the relationship that she has with her children, whether close or distant. Armed with the necessary information, I will make observation on the two-story house where Mrs. F lives with her husband. In the process, I will learn more about the safety risks within the property that may have a negative impact on the occupants. After finding out on the various safety risks in the house, I will present my findings to her and provide her with suitable solutions that will make their house safe. Firstly, I will ask her to get the support of her children in clearing and disposing of any old antiques that may be of no use from the house. In so doing, this will help in dealing with issues of overcrowding and stuffiness. I will also ask her to get the required assistance from her children in ensuring that the house undergoes regular renovation and refurbishment. Subsequently, this will be essential in restoring safety to Mrs. F and her husband’s home.
Obstacles encountered and their solutions
In the quest for making Mrs. F’s home safe, various obstacles may arise. Firstly, Mrs. F may not accept any advice that she is given and this is challenging to the nurse. Refurbishment of the house requires adequate funding and this may be another obstacle. Dealing with the issue of resistance from the client calls for the nurse to have a convincing language. As for financial issues, fundraising programs spearheaded by the nurse in the organization where she works will help address the issue.
