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Statement Of Vanessa M. Dazio, OTR/L

Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
Tampa, Florida
April 3, 2003

Vanessa M. Dazio, OTR/L
Ergonomic World


My name is Vanessa Dazio. I am a registered and licensed occupational therapist, and have specialized in providing health care services to the elderly since 1983.

I am CEO of Ergonomic World. Inc. We provide in home safety assessments to elderly living independently at home.

We identify risks and hazards in the home. We consider client factors, then recommend solutions that will eliminate, reduce or control safety risks; make life easier, safer or more convenient for the older adult. We educate our elderly clients about home safety. Unfortunately, we are a rare breed.

Aging is a natural process that continues throughout the life span. The body changes. Vision, strength and stature declines. It is expected. For instance, vision becomes an issue within the 4th decade of life. Yet, designers, builders and manufacturers continue to produce products with little regard for declining vision.

This becomes readily apparent in the home environment. Common household products such as ant or roach killer, paints, varnishes, waxes, and cleaning products have labels that can barely be read,.... even with the best of vision. Numbers on thermostats, temperature setting on stoves, prescription labels are barely visible.

Rooms, hallways, stairs and closets are often designed and built with limited lighting. Limited lighting can cause falls which result in loss of function, disability or death.

The environment can prevent function or aggravate health conditions. Allergens such as mold, mildew, animal dander, cigarette smoke and chemical fumes have a limiting or drastic effect on people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory problems. Yet, many health care professionals do not consider these factors in the home environment.

I have been a member of a multi-member health care teams providing in home health services, and have observed combustible materials near heat sources, and household chemicals such as pesticides near fresh foods. I have been in homes without smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detectors. I have seen gas stoves used as home heaters, and fireplaces that haven't been cleaned in 30 years. These are all environmental safety risks that could seriously affect home or health safety.

In- home injuries are a serious public health problem because of the impact on health, and the burdens that are placed on our health care system. Elderly population are most vulnerable.

Most injuries are preventable. Preventing in home injuries can result in astronomical savings for our government.

For the EPA to make a difference, here are
THREE (3) SUGGESTIONS

  1. Provide grants for the development of specialized training programs for health care professionals, public health agencies, and aging service providers to:
    • learn to recognize common home environmental hazards and the effects on health, safety, and function.
    • learn how to identify controls and educate the elderly so they can take personal responsibility to eliminate or reduce environmental hazards risks.
    • encourage the development of home safety assessment programs provided by trained health care professionals who are knowledgeable in aging, disease and disability.


  2. Work with individual states to require insurance companies to provide or offer preventive in home safety assessments for elder environments, which considers client factors, and provide an informational guide about common home environment risks, hazards and solutions.

  3. Require manufacturers to label poisonous or hazardous household chemicals with large font and good visual contrast.

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