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.
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 L ving Area
athroom Bathr om
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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 extension 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?
3 8 Is it difficult to stand during a shower? 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
1 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. Patch leaks with caulk or other appropriate materials. Wipe up water immediately to prevent slipping. Use a bath mat with a slip resistant backing. 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? 2 2 4 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 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? 4 3 n° 310547 - Level Hard 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? 3 1 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. Store glasses within reach of the bed. 1 www.moveforwardpt.com Possible Hazard 7 2
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 ex ension c rd 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 walkw ys to r duce the chances of tripping over it. Place a port ble 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
Yes Suggestions
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Is the shower floor and/or bathtub slippery?
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Is there any water on the floor after a bath/shower? Are there leaks from the tub/ shower?
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1 6 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?
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Kitchen
October is National Physical Therapy Month!
Bedroom
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edroom
Yes Suggestions
Yes Suggestions
Possible Hazard
1 6 Yes Suggestions
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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?
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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?
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5 3 2 9 6 5 7 3 2 1 5 8 9 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? Possible Hazard Are there floor mats or rugs in the kitchen? itchen 2
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8 3 4 8 1 3 5 6 1 The Highest Compliment Nothing is more important to us than helping people get back to doing the things they love. We care about our patients and our community and want to help as many people as we can reach optimal function. The opportunity to touch lives is just one reason we’re so grateful for your referrals! To us, a referral is the highest compliment, and we want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has trusted us enough to send family and friends our way. Yes Suggestions Remove throw rugs or secure them to the floor with slip-resistant backing. Is it necessary to reach far, bend over, or climb on a stool to get commonly-used kitchen items and foods? 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. N ver use a chair as a step stool. Is there liquid, food, grease, or other clutter on the floor? Sweep often and wipe up liquid immediately to reduce the chances of slipping.
8 Cathy Chamberlain Grace McDermott Charles Skarshaug
n° 315994 - Level Hard Ken Bridges Brenda Plummer Ed Simmons
John Paul Mary Jo Kurten Charles Vandergriff
Gary Jacobs Clint Lunsford
4 1
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