JAN'S GROUP HOME SUPPORT

Keeping group home residents safe isn’t always easy. In the group home it is easier to manage the risk by keeping the following inaccessible to group home residents:

• Cleaning solutions
• Medications
• Yard maintenance chemicals
• Pool chemicals

During summer time activities, group home support staff will need to be extra watchful. Even though the residents may not be at a functioning level that allows them to keep themselves safe, they are still considered adults. When going to a public or private activity or function, the following can assure that the residents will be safe and fun can be had by all:

• Know the resident you are caring for
• Scan the area upon arrival for possible risks
• Politely ask that things like pool chemicals be removed from the area
• Stay focused on resident
• Have emergency information about the resident close at hand

In the event a group home resident comes in contact with a poisonous substance call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222. If there are any serious adverse reactions or warnings on the label, call 911.

Basic first aide for poisoning:

• Medication ingestion-call 911
• Poison ingestion-call 911
• Inhaled poison-move to fresh air immediately. Call poison control immediately.
• Poison on the skin-remove any clothing that poison is on and rinse skin for 15-20 minutes. Call poison control immediately.
• Poison in the eye-rinse with running water for 15-20 minutes. Call poison control immediately.

More information can be found at American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Don’t be distracted by the new people and environments that you come in contact with during the summer, remember group home residents are dependent on group home support staff to keep them safe during summer time activities.

It’s summer time again and time to review summer safety for our group home residents. Some parts of the country are still enjoying comfortable weather, but here is AZ we have already hit 100+ degrees!

Group home residents are at higher risk of heat related health issues because of the following:

• Medication that increase sun sensitivity.
• Inability to communicate discomfort.
• Developmental delays that interfere with decision making skills
• Physical limitations that make them dependent on others

Medication side effects

• Review the side effects of medications that are administered to the residents.
• Review how to protect residents who have added sun sensitivity due to medication side effects.

Heat related illness can be serious. Residents who are showing signs of serious heat related symptoms should receive medical attention. Know the policy and procedures of the resident provider that you work, for professional medical care for group home residents. If in doubt, call 911. It is better to call unnecessarily than to call after it is too late to help a resident. Heat related illness can escalate quickly.

Signs of heat exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Pale, clammy skin
• Thirst
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness, fainting
• Nausea, vomiting
• Muscle cramps

Signs of heat stroke (very serious-seek medical attention)

• Fever (temperature above 104°F)
• Irrational behavior
• Extreme confusion
• Dry, hot, and red skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Heat related illnesses are very serious. The best thing to do is prevent them from occurring. Group home support staff can prevent heat related illness the following ways:

• Limit group home residents time outdoors in the heat
• Be sure residents are properly hydrated (start the day before when possible)
• Use shade in environment (trees, buildings, etc)
• Create shade with hats, umbrellas, canopies, and tents
• Observe residents and look for sweating, redness on skin, and signs of heat illness (listed above)
• Touch exposed skin and monitor if excessively hot to touch or dry
• Help residents recognize signs they are in the sun too long
• Teach residents appropriate decision making skills regarding time in the heat
• Be alert to shade “moving” and move residents who are not mobile out of the sun when the shade moves

Make the most of summer time activities with group home residents while keeping them safe from heat related illnesses.

February is Black History Month. For young people it’s hard to imagine a time when black people weren’t even treated like humans, but as property to buy and sell with no rights to own property or vote in our country. Many group home residents may not be able to understand the full impact of what their ancestors went through to give them the rights they have today, but they can understand the prejudice they endured because many disabled people still must deal with prejudice due to their differences.

Group home support staff can help black group home residents be proud of their heritage and all group home residents become more educated and culturally tolerant by participating in many of the events that occur around the country this month, for Black History Month.

There will be more posts in celebration of the accomplishments of African Americans.

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