Package Contents
- Fall Prevention Tips for Home Safety
Worldwide Ortho, LLC
Fall Prevention Tips for Home Safety
Kitchen
- Remove scatter rugs
- Make sure often used items, such as dishes, pots, pans, and food are easily accessible.
- Kitchens may have
to be reorganized
Bathroom
- Put a rubber mat in the tub covering the entire length of the tub when 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 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
a walker can get through the bathroom doors easily. Wheels on walkers can be placed on inside of walker when possible
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
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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)
General Living Space
-
Remove all small area rugs
-
Tack down ends of large area rugs
-
Remove excess furniture and clutter to keep passageways
clear and maintain easy access for walkers, canes, and wheelchairs
-
Make sure phone lines and electrical cords are secured away from
common pathways
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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 atatched
-
Make sure handrails on staircases are secured and in good repair
-
In winter,
make sure stairs outside are free of ice and are well salted
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.
- Purchase a Lifeline (Personal Response System)
It's recommended to have a home safety evaluation by an Occupational Therapist to personalize
safety issues based on fall risks within the home.
Personal
-
Wear ComfiHips® under your clothes during the day, and at night while sleeping
-
Sit down when putting on ComfiHips ®,
underwear, trousers, socks, or shoes
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Review your medications with a physician to determine if they interfere with vision or balance
-
Get
yearly vision check-ups, and stay physically active to maintain strength and mobility
-
Wear proper, non-skid footwear, and make sure
clothing is short enough to avoid tripping
-
DO NOT walk around with only socks or on wet surfaces unassisted
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DO NOT get up quickly
after lying down or after eating
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Make sure canes and walkers are in good condition and are the proper height
-
Use a long handled Reacher
to pick things up from the floor
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For stairs: to go up - lead with good leg; to go down, lead with weaker leg
-
For chair transfers: