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? 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? 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? 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?
Is thepath from thebedroom to the bathroomdark? Are towel racksused tobalanceor grabontowhilegetting inoroutof thebathtub/shower?
Nightlightscanbehelpful in lighting theway.
Towel racksmaynotbemountedwellenough to supportaperson’sweight. Installgrab rails in the appropriateplaces. A shower seatallowsolderadults to shower withoutgetting tiredof standingor riskinga fall becauseofdizziness.
Bedroom
Is itdifficult to standduringa shower?
Yes Suggestions
Is the shower floorand/orbathtub slippery?
Installnon-skid stripsoranon-slipmat.
Patch leakswithcaulkorotherappropriate materials.Wipeupwater immediately toprevent slipping.Useabathmatwitha slip resistant backing. A shower/bath storageunit thatattaches to the sideof the tubor showerwallcan reduce theneed to reachor turnaround toget things. Itmaybehelpful to raise the seatand/or install handrails.Replace the toiletwith ahigher toiletand/or install handrails.
Is thereanywateron the floorafter abath/shower?Are there leaks from the tub/ shower?
Is itnecessary to reach faror turn around toget towels, shampoo,and soap? Is itdifficult togetonandoff the toilet?
October is National Physical Therapy Month!
KITCHEN
BEDROOM Bedroom
Kitchen
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www.moveforwardpt.com
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Possible Hazard
Yes Suggestions
Possible Hazard
Yes Suggestions
1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
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?
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?
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. 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.
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
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Kitchen
Possible Hazard Yes Suggestions You Can Be Pain Free This Holiday Have you already met your out of pocket max for the year? Take advantage f the opportunity to feel better and it might not cost you a dime! Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or have a chronic illness are especially likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their out-of-pocket expenses.This means that the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or completely covered by the patient’s insurance plan. If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time to come in for Physical Therapy! Are you feeling aches & pains? Need to work on your core? Let us help you get a head start for 2018. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. 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? 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. www.moveforwardpt.com
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