OBTS_Your Holiday Survival Kit

for Fall Hazards This room-by-room checklist highlights possible fall hazards. If you mark “Yes” to any of these questions, consider the suggestions to help reduce your chances of falling. HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR FALL HAZARDS This room-by-room checklist highlights possible fall hazards. If you mark “Yes” to any of these questions, consider the suggestions to help reduce your chances of falling.

Living Areas LIVING AREA

Bathroom BATHROOM

Possible Hazard

Yes Suggestions

Possible Hazard

Yes Suggestions

Remove damaged floor coverings or secure them well with double-sided tape, nails, etc. It’s important to have a flat, sturdy walkway. The best thing to do is to remove throw rugs. Put double-sided tape on them so they don’t slip. Higher chairs and armrests are helpful for easing into a sitting position. Keep a phone nearby so you don’t have to get up quickly if the phone rings. Cordless phones are helpful. Keep a phone close to the floor in order to call for help in the event of a fall. Tape cords and wires to the wall or have an electrician install additional outlets. Moving the lamp closer to the bed or attaching a light to the headboard reduces the chances of falling. A longer phone xtension cord or a cordless phone within easy reach of the bed can reduce the chances of falling. Remove clutter from walkways to avoid tripping. Store glasses within reach of the bed. It’s best to have a straight path, clear of furniture. Rearrange furniture to provide for obstacle-free walking. Install longer cords or link ceiling lights/fans to a light switch on the wall to eliminate the need to look and reach up. Cords are a tripping hazard. Reroute cords so they do not cross walking paths and/or get an electrician to install additional outlets. Remove clutter from walkways to reduce the chances of tripping over it. Place a portable commode near the bed to eliminate nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Do carpets, rugs, and floor coverings have frayed corners or rolled-up edges? Are there throw rugs in walkways?

Is the path from the bedroom to the bathroom dark? Are towel racks used to balance or grab onto while getting in or out of the bathtub/shower?

Nightlights can be helpful in lighting the way.

Bedroom

Moving the lamp closer to the bed or attaching a light to the headboard reduces the chances of falling. A longer phone extension cord or a cordless phone within easy reach of the bed can reduce the chances of falling. Are there floor mats or rugs in the kitchen? Is it necessary to reach far, bend over, or climb on a stool to get commonly-used kitchen items and foods? Is there liquid, food, grease, or other clutter on the floor? Store glasses within reach of the bed. Cords are a tripping hazard. Reroute cords so they do not cross walking paths and/or get an electrician to install additional outlets. Remove clutter from walkways to reduce the chances of tripping over it. Place a portable commode near the bed to eliminate nighttime trips to the bathroom. Patch leaks with caulk or other appropriate materials. Wipe up water immediately to prevent slipping. Use a bath mat with a slip resistant backing. A shower/bath storage unit that attaches to the side of the tub or shower wall can reduce the need to reach or turn around to get things. It may be helpful to raise the seat and/or install handrails. Replace the toilet with a higher toilet and/or install handrails. Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get eyeglasses? Are there telephone, light, or television cords running along the floor on the walkways? Is th re clu ter (clothes, shoes, bo ks, etc.) on the floor? Is it common to get up many times during the night to use the bathroom? 1 www.moveforwardpt.com Possible Hazard Towel racks may not be mounted well enough to support a person’s weight. Install grab rails in the appropriate places. A shower seat allows older adults to shower without getting tired of standing or risking a fall because of dizziness. Possible Hazard Is there a long reach from the bed to a lig t? Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get to the telephone? Install non-skid strips or a non-slip mat.

Yes Suggestions

Bedroom

Are chairs and couches low to the ground? Is it necessary to get up to answer the phone? Possible Hazard Is there a long reach from the bed to a light? Moving the lamp closer to the bed or attaching a light to the headboard reduces the chances of falling. A longer phone extension cord or a cordless phone within easy reach of the bed can reduce the chances of falling. Do you have to walk over or around electrical cords or wires? Are there newspapers, boxes, shoes, etc. on the floor? Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get to the telephone? Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get eyeglasses? Are there telephone, light, or television cords running along the floor on the walkways? Is there clutter (clothes, shoes, books, etc.) on the floor? Is it common to get up many times during the night to use the bathroom? Store glasses within reach of the bed. Cord are a tripping hazard. Reroute cords so they do not cr ss walking paths and/or get an electrician to install additional outlets. Remov clutter from walkways to reduce the chances of tripping over it. Place a portable commode near the bed to eliminate nighttime trips to the bathroom. Do you need to walk around furniture to get through the living area? Do you have to reach up to pull cords to lights or ceiling fans? Possible Hazard Remove throw rugs or secure them to the floor with slip-resistant backing. Rearrang cupboards and drawers so that items used most often are waist high. Use a sturdy step stool with a grab bar to reach items stored overhead. Never use a cha r as a step stool. Sweep often and wipe up liquid immediately to reduce the chances of slipping. Are there floor mats or rugs in the kitchen? Is it necessary to reach far, bend over, or climb on a stool to get commonly-used kitchen items and foods? Is there liquid, food, grease, or other clutter on the floor? Kitchen KITCHEN

Is it difficult to stand during a shower?

Yes Suggestions

Is the shower floor and/or bathtub slippery?

Is there any water on the floor after a bath/shower? Are there leaks from the tub/ shower?

Is it necessary to reach far or turn around to get towels, shampoo, and soap? Is it difficult to get on and off the toilet?

Kitchen

October is National Physical Therapy Month!

BEDROOM Bedroom

Yes Suggestions

Yes Suggestions

Possible Hazard

Yes Suggestions

1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

Remove throw rugs or secure them to the floor with slip-resistant backing. Rearrange cupboards and drawers so that items used most often are waist high. Use a sturdy step stool with a grab bar to reach items stored overhead. Never use a chair as a step stool. Sweep often and wipe up liquid immediately to reduce the chances of slipping.

Is there a long reach from the bed to a light?

For information about physical therapy or to find a physical therapist near where you work or live, visit www.moveforwardpt.com

Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get to the telephone?

Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get eyeglasses? Are there telephone, light, or television cords running along the floor on the walkways? Is there clutter (clothes, shoes, books, etc.) on the floor? Is it common to get up many times during the night to use the bathroom?

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www.moveforwardpt.com

www.moveforwardpt.com

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Kitchen

Special Thanks to Those Below Who Gave the Gift of Health, by Referring a Friend or Family Member Possible Hazard Yes Suggestions Are there floor mats or rugs in the kitchen? Remove throw rugs or secure them to the floor with slip-resistant backing.

Rearrange cupboards and drawers so that items used most often are waist high. Use a sturdy step stool with a grab bar to reach items stored overhead. Never use a chair as a step stool. Sweep often and wipe up liquid immediately to reduce the chances of slipping.

Shirley Wiliamson Ray Bentley Mary Ann Williams Martha Leichty Jane Graves Helen Wiggins Is it necessary to reach far, bend over, or climb on a stool to get commonly-used kitchen items and foods? Is there liquid, food, grease, or other clutter on th floor?

William Stack Dawne Duffin Sharon Erwin Cynthia Hanson-Pandoff

Art Bartholomew Darlene Burton Merrill Miles Kathleen Pulkowski Kiki Martin Darlene Schoon

www.moveforwardpt.com

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