Yes, the title is strange, and not really something that fits into the overall aesthetic of the blog, but I wanted to take a minute to give you an idea of the types of content writing I do on a regular basis.  I wrote this article in response to the following Craigslist ad:

We are looking for a great writer to create weekly postings for our company’s blog. We can suggest topics and after you write each installment we will do final editing and post it to our blog. This would be a great gig for a college student or a work-at-home telecommuter with extra time and a desire to be a writer.

The pay is $50.00 per article, payable every two weeks. The articles should be 600 - 800 words long. You don’t have to live nearby but if that would be helpful in case we needed to meet from time to time.

To see examples of what we’re looking for go to the “Articles” link from our company home page at http://www.TrustworthyCare.com

If you think that this opportunity is a great fit for you, please respond to this ad by sending us a sample article that would be appropriate for the subject matter in our blog along with your contact info. We’ll let you know what we think right away.

I assume “right away” is a relative term, as I emailed them the article and my resume on 7/21 and have still not received any reply.  I emailed them again on Sunday, 7/27 to follow up on the submission and see where they were at in the article review process, but I have not received any response.  I checked their blog today and am happy to report that they have not yet posted the free article I wrote for them, but will not be surprised when the article eventually makes its way onto their site.  So in the meantime, enjoy the article, perhaps it can help someone:)

Is Your Elderly Parent’s Home Safe?

The most common injuries among older Americans occur in the home. Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but easily prevented once identified. The first step in taking action to prevent injuries within the home is to carefully examine potential hazards and make an effort to correct them before an accident occurs. During the home evaulation process make sure you let your loved one know the changes you are making, and explain why you feel it is important for their safety.  The topics below should give you a basic overview of potential dangers to look for when inspecting your loved one’s home.  Be sure to check thoroughly, and periodically re-check the home.

Electrical Outlets

You will want to make sure that your parent’s home does not have any exposed wiring as this presents a shock hazard and risk of electrical fire.  Also check the outlets to be sure they are not unusually warm/hot to the touch because this condition is indicative of faulty wiring.  Upon closer examination of the outlets, you will want to look for any smudge marks around the socket.  Any outlet with this type of marking should be replaced by an electrician - smudge marks are an indicator of an electrical short.

Lighting

Make sure all light bulbs in the home are the appropriate size and type for the fixture.  Over loading a fixutre with high wattage or using the wrong type of bulb can cause overheating, which can lead to a fire.  Pay careful attention to recessd lights and lamps with hoods, as these types of fixutres will trap heat.

Cords

Check to see that all cords are placed well outside of the flow of traffic and removed from beneath furniture or carpeting to prevent falls.  Also make sure that all cords are free from frays or craks, and that no cords are attached to the wall or floor with nails/staples.  Any damage to the cord is a fire hazard and should be dealt with promptly to avoid an accidnet.

Rugs

Be sure all rugs in the home are slip resistant.  Any rugs that have a tendency to slide should be removed from the home or fixed with double-sided carpet tape.  Rubber matting placed on the bottom of the rug will also prevent any unwanted movement, and rugs should be checked regularly to determine whether or not non-slip backing needs to be replaced.

Shelves

Reducing clutter in the home is essential to maintaining a safe environment for and elderly parent.  All shelves should be inspected to make sure they are not overstuffed with items, and to be sure they are securely fastened to the wall.

Telephone

Make sure emergency numbers are placed on the telephone, near the telephone, and that a speed dial function is assigned to emergency contacts.  It is also important to be sure your loved one is able to hear the telephone ring and are able to hear callers when the telephone is used.  There are devices that can assist people that are hard of hearing to perform these tasks including flashing lights for the phone, a separate ringer, and earpiece enhancement attachments for the phone. This would also be a good time to be sure that their doorbell is in working order, and that they are able to hear the bell if someone arrives.

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

At least once detector of each type should be placed on every home in the floor.  You will want to test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are in working order, and set up a schedule to replace the batteries on a regular basis.  Again, it is important to make sure your loved one is able to hear the alarm, and take proper precautions if they have difficulty hearing the warning bell.

Bathroom

All bathtubs and showers should be equipped with synthetic surfaces that prevent slipping.  Non-skid mats and abrasive strips are an excellent way to deal with this issue, and installing grab bars can also help to prevent falls from slipping.  Any grab bars installed should be examined for stability and repaired when necessary.

The water temperature in the home should be 120 degrees or lower due to the fact that water above this temperature can cause water scalds or burns.  You can change the setting on the hot water heater to reflect this limit, and remind your loved one to always check the water of the bath before entering.

Bedroom

Make sure there are lamps and/or light switches within reach of each bed so your loved one does not have to get up in the dark at any time.  You should also make sure a working flashlight is placed next to the bed in case of an emergency, and remember to replace the batteries every so often.  The telephone should also be located next to the bed, and should be close enough that your loved one does not need to get out of bed to use the telephone.

Medications

All medications should be stored in the proper containers with clearly marked labels.  You should do a sweep of the medicine cabinet monthly and get rid of expired drug in addition to reviewing the medications with your loved one.  Filling a pill dispenser is also a good way to avoid missed or extra doses, and this can be prepared a week or a month in advance.  All medicine should be housed in a place out of reach for visiting grandchildren, especially if your loved one is unable to use containers with child safety locks.

Steps and Walkways

Be sure all stairs and walkways are in good condition with smooth surfaces with sercure footing to prevent falls.  The stairs and walkways should be well lit and light switches should be affixed at both the bottom and top of the stairs.  Handrails should be in place on both sides of the stairway and outside steps.  Be sure to check that handrails are securely fastened to supporting beams and walls.

August 2nd, 2008 | Freelance Writing, Craigslist, Employment