Table 1 Dimensions of home care safety risks [7]
Dimensions of home care safety risks | |
|---|---|
Physical | Encompasses the physical environment including technology (i.e., oxygen tanks, dialysis, IV’s etc.), supplies (i.e. medications, stoma maintenance, solutions etc.) the diversity of people involved to manage and administer, and relationships with/between them. |
Emotional | Refers to the psychological impact of receiving and providing care at home. It is often distressing or anxiety-provoking for clients and caregivers to cope with a myriad of issues (i.e. managing medications, changes in client health status, treatments, and technology). Fatigue, exhaustion, depression are prevalent and can have tremendous impact on everyone involved. |
Social | Addresses the idea of where the client lives in the community, who lives with the client, who visits the home, and the nature of the client’s social support network. Potential for decrease in social interactions, loneliness, and isolation from friends and family. Potential for various forms of abuse is an important consideration for those providing and receiving home care. |
Functional | Encompasses how health conditions or provisions of care affect activities of daily living, employment, leisure activities. Potential for diminished capacity to function in your home and community doing what you would normally be able to or want to do (i.e., shopping, banking, gardening, working etc.) |