Carers are usually family members who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Carers can be parents, partners, brothers, sisters, friends or children of any age.

Carers may care for a few hours a week, or all day every day. Some carers are eligible for government benefits, while others are employed or have a private income.

download a PDF version

return to education

Safety is an important consideration when caring for someone in the home – both for you and for the person you care for. The ideal home provides safety for you both and makes caring tasks easier for you.
Carers face many particular safety issues depending on the needs and condition of the person they care for. Always seek the advice of a professional before modifying your home, adapting or purchasing specialist equipment.
The following general guidelines may help you deal with some common problems:

If the person you care for has problems getting around:

• equipment such as rails, ramps and other home alterations may make the home safer for you both – there is a wide variety of Aids for Daily Living or other home modification equipment to choose from
• arrange furniture simply and consistently, and keep the environment uncluttered
• remove loose rugs and seal carpet edges that may be safety hazards

If the person you care for needs to be lifted:
Lifting and transferring a person, for example, from a chair to bed, is a complex task. Back injuries are common amongst carers.

• ask your doctor or local healthcare provider to arrange an assessment of your circumstances – an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or community nurse will be able to work out a safe way of lifting or transferring the person you care for

If the person you care for is confused:

• try not to make any changes to a familiar environment unless absolutely necessary
• consider having medications checked as this can be a common cause of confusion
• use notice boards and reminder notes to list the things that are happening, or that need remembering
• nightlights in the hallways and in the toilet may be useful to assist a person to find their way to the bathroom
• easy to read clocks and large calendars can be helpful reminders of the time and date

If the person you care for has memory loss:

• it is important they carry appropriate identification at all times, including their name and address and an emergency contact number – an identity bracelet is ideal
• some home modifications and equipment such as automatic cut offs for hot water jugs and other appliances can be helpful
• a communication book by the phone or somewhere handy can provide a list of what’s happening and who has been to visit
• display emergency and commonly used telephone numbers near the phone

If the person you care for has a problem with their hearing:

• ensure that hearing aids are functioning and are being used effectively
• install visual smoke detectors in the house
• investigate other visual alerts such as alarm clocks and front door alerts
• install assistive listening devices such as volume controlled telephones that can be used in conjunction with hearing aids so the person you care for can contact others in an emergency

If the person you care for has a problem with their sight:

• leave all items as they were left – if something has to be moved tell the person where it has been placed
• be especially careful when the house is being cleaned – vacuum cords, wet floors and a mop and bucket are all potential hazards
• shut doors completely or leave them fully open – a half open door is a hazard
• furniture should be replaced exactly in the position it was found to avoid accidents and aid mobility; power points, blinds and lights should be left in the same position as they were found

What else can I do?

safety checklists
Regularly go through the house and check every area for possible hazards to you and to the person you are caring for. Check the flooring, furnishings and the lighting, heating and cooling in each room.

• kitchen
• bathroom
• laundry
• toilet
• lounge room
• dining room
• bedrooms
• stairs and balconies
• outside areas
• garage and sheds

emergency care plan
Having an emergency care plan can be an important part of feeling safe and secure in your caring role. You can use an emergency care plan to make alternative arrangements for the person you are caring for. This may help you stop worrying about what would happen if you had an accident or suddenly became ill.

security
If you are worried about the security of your home, the police can provide tips about reducing the risks of break-in. Insurance companies and security companies sometimes also provide free information and advice on making your home more secure.

fire safety
If you are caring for someone with limited mobility, it is vital that you have early warning if fires do occur.
You should plan ahead in case you need to evacuate because of a fire. Your local fire authority can help you with advice about installing smoke detectors and evacuation techniques.

Where do I get help?
There are numerous organisations around the world dedicated to providing support to home based carers – ask your local doctor, check your local telephone directory or search online for an organisation near you. These organisations are designed to provide quality information, support and advice to carers of all ages and circumstances.

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists can provide advice on equipment, modifications and techniques for safe lifting – ask your doctor to refer you.

Home maintenance schemes may be available through your local government or council and can help you make changes or repairs to your home so it is safer and easier for you to give care in.

Contact your local government or council for a list of other government departments or volunteer organisations that offer support to the aged or to people living with disabilities, and the people that care for them.

Most importantly – don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of us juggle busy lives, but the pressures for carers providing support for a relative, partner or friend can be enormous.