Fall Management Home Checklist
General Living Space
- Remove all small area rugs.
- Tack down ends of large area rugs.
- Remove excess furniture and clutter to keep passagewaysclear
and maintain easy access for walkers, canes, Wheelchairs.
- Make sure that phone lines and electrical cords are secured
away from common pathways.
- Put nightlights in bathrooms, stairs, hallways, bedrooms and
other common pathways.
- Place non-slip treads on uncarpeted stairs; make sure any
carpeting on stairs is firmly attached.
- Make sure handrails on staircases are secured, preferably on
both sides. Stairs should be in good repair.
- In winter, make sure stairs outside are free of ice and are
well salted.
Bedroom
- Remove scatter rugs.
- Have a lamp or light switch that you can easily reach
without getting out of bed. Keep a flashlight near the bed.
- Install a bed rail to use for support when transferring in
and out of bed.
- Keep a commode by the bed for night time use (if
recommended).
Bathroom
- Put a rubber mat in the tub covering the entire length of
the tub. Remove when not in use.
- Put rubber backed mats on the floor.
- Have well located grab bars for support.
- DO NOT USE TOWEL RACK OR SOAP DISHES FOR SUPPORT!
- Use a bath chair or bath transfer bench (appropriate when
indicated).
- Use a hand held shower head to facilitate showering when
seated.
- Get a raised toilet seat with arms or toilet safety frame.
- Ensure that a walker can get through the bathroom doors
without juggling. Wheels on walkers can
be placed on inside of walker when possible
Kitchen
- Remove scatter rugs.
- Make sure often used items, such as dishes, pots, pans, and
food are easily accessible.
- Kitchen may have to be reorganized.
Personal
- Wear ComfiHips® under your clothes during the day and sleep
with them on during the night.
- Review your medications with a physician to determine if
there are any drugs that interfere with vision or balance.
- Get yearly vision check-ups.
- Wear proper, non-skid footwear
- DO NOT walk around with only socks on.
- DO NOT walk on wet surfaces unassisted.
- Make sure trousers, nightgowns and housecoat are not too
long to avoid tripping.
- Make sure canes and walkers are in good condition and are
the proper height.
- DO NOT get up quickly after lying down or after eating.
- For stairs: to go up - lead with good leg; to go down, lead
with weaker leg.
For chair transfers:
(a) For
sitting: back up until you feel the chair behind your knees and lower yourself
by
holding on to the chair arms.
(b) For
standing from a chair: push off with BOTH hands on the arm rests. Grab your
walker with
one hand at a time.
DO NOT
LEAN ON WALKER.
Final personal Tips - Sit down when putting on ComfiHips® , underwear, trousers,
socks or shoes.
- Use long handled Reacher to pick things up from the floor.
- Stay physically active to maintain strength and mobility.
- Purchase a lifeline (Personal Response system).
- It is recommended to
have a home safety evaluation by an Occupational Therapist to personalize
safety issues based on fall risks within the home.
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