Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Dr. HÜTF Halk Sağlığı A.D. Ankara
Prof. Dr. HÜTF Halk Sağlığı A.D. Ankara Since the human life is getting longer and the elderly population in community increase, one of the physiological periods of human life-elderly- and their problems are getting more important. Nowadays, as the socio-economical conditions change, such as decreasing number of the large families and increasing number of family members working outside, elderly are alone for longer times at home. Since some of the physiologic changes and chronic diseases occur with age, elderly, especially living alone, have higher accident risk. Each year, many older people are injured in and around their homes. Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By determining these hazards and taking some simple measures to correct them, many injuries might be prevented. Lacking of accident records preventing "accident analysis" to determine hidden causes of accident. Checklist can be used to spot possible safety problems which may be present in the home. "yes" or "no" system of these checklist give chance of effective use by nonqualified persons. After filling checklist someone go back over the list and easily correct those items which may need correction. These checklist must be used periodically to re-check home. A proposed draft checklist given in the paper. Keywords : Elderly, Home safety, Accident risk, Checklists