Falls can become more common and more serious as people age. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help prevent them. Here are some tips.
- Identify the health factors that can increase your risk for falling-poor eyesight, reduced reaction time, a decline in muscle strength, and limited movement can all contribute to putting a person at risk for falling-particularly if they are ignored.
- Don’t be afraid to use a cane or walker if you are feeling unsteady-and promptly replace worn rubber tips of these devices.
- Be careful around pets. They can get underfoot or jump on you.
- Don’t leave clothes or newspapers on the floor.
A Safety Checklist
Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook, but many times, they are just as easy to fix. Interim HealthCare has developed a checklist that can be used to help you find and fix hazards in your home.
Go through the list and check off each item that describes the situation in your home. Each item that gets checked represents a step you have taken to reduce a potential hazard. Here are a few examples:
Bathroom Safety
- There are grab bars on the bathroom walls, near the toilet or along the bathtub or shower.
- A slip-resistant rug is next to the bathtub or shower.
- A mounted or suction liquidsoap dispenser is on the bathtub/shower wall.
- Nonskid adhesive-textured strips are on the bathtub/shower floor.
- A sturdy plastic seat (shower chair) is placed in the bathtub.
- There is a raised toilet seat or a toilet seat with armrests to maintain balance when getting on or off the toilet.
- An extra -long mirror is over the sink so it can be used when sitting.
Bedroom Safety
- Clutter is cleared from the floor so that nothing is in the way.
- A lamp, flashlight and telephone are within easy reach near the bed.
- Night-lights are placed along the path from the bedroom to the bath.
- A raised mattress is available to get in and out of bed easily.
Download A Copy
To download your own copy of the Home Fall Prevention Checklist, visit www.interimhealthcare.com/Education-Center/FallPrevention/Home-Safety-Checklist.
Home Fall Prevention Checklist
Check off each item that describes the situation in your home. Some items won’t relate to your home. For example, if you have a single story home items related to stairs should be eliminated since they don’t apply to you. Each item that gets no checkmark represents a potential hazard. For more information, visit our website at interimhealthcare.com.
- Bathroom Safety
- Grab bars are on the bathroom walls, near the toilet or along the bathtub or shower
- A slip-resistant rug is next to bathtub or shower
- A mounted or suction liquid soap dispenser is on the bathtub/shower wall
- Non-skid adhesive textured strips are on the bathtub/shower floor
- A sturdy plastic seat (shower chair) is placed in the bathtub
- There is a raised toilet seat or a toilet seat with armrests to maintain balance getting on or off the toilet.
- An extra long mirror is over the sink so it can be used when sitting
Bedroom Safety
- Clutter is cleared from the floor so that nothing is in the way
- A lamp, flashlight and telephone are within easy reach near the bed
- Nightlights are placed along the path from the bedroom to the bath
- A raised mattress is available to get in and out of bed easily
- Living Area Safety
- Furniture is arranged to create clear paths between rooms
- Low coffee tables, magazine racks, footrests, and plants are removed from pathways in rooms used
with walkers or crutches. - Light switches are easily accessible at entrances to rooms
- Glow in the dark switches or sound-activated lamps are available
- Loose rugs are secured with double faced tape or slip resistant backing.
- In rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting, carpet is secure and there are no wrinkles or raised areas.
- Electric appliance and telephone cords are out of your way but not put under rugs
- There are no wobbly chairs or tables which can be leaned upon
- Rugs are secured on concrete, ceramic or marble floors
- There are no loose wood floorboards that need repair
- Furniture is firm, high and has armrests to assist in standing
- A cordless phone is close by so there is no danger of hurrying to reach the phone
Kitchen Safety
- There are no throw rugs
- There is no liquid, grease or food spilled on the floor that needs to be cleaned up
- Food, dishes and cooking equipment are stored at an easy-to-reach, waist high level
- A step stool with a handrail is available to reach upper cabinets
- Non-skid floor wax has been used on the floor
- A counter-top toaster oven is available to avoid leaning over to or trying to reach an oven
Stairs
- Stairways are well lit
- Steps have stair treads
- Stairways have a strong handrail, preferably on both sides
Carpet
- Carpet is not patterned or deep pile
- Carpet is solid color to show the edges of steps more clearly
- A brightly colored piece of tape is used if there is difficulty seeing the edge of the stairs
Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare Inc. is one of the nation’s leading home care providers. Call Interim HealthCare at 979.260.1100 or visit interimhealthcare.com for more information.
article and checklist information courtesy of Interim HealthCare