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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.