Preventing a Fall
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This document provides a home fall prevention checklist for older adults. It lists various areas of the home and identifies potential hazards in each area that could cause falls. For each hazard, it provides recommendations on how to fix the problem, such as removing throw rugs, improving lighting, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and exercising regularly to improve strength and balance. The goal is to help older adults find and address hazards in their home to prevent falls and potential injuries.
Preventing a Fall
- 1. Check for Safety A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older AdultsDepartment of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention P For more information, contact: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 770-488-1506 www.cdc.gov/injury This checklist is based on the original version printed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Support for this version was provided by MetLife Foundation. 2005
- 2. FALLS AT HOME Each year, thousands of older Americans fall at home. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. In 2002, more than 12,800 people over age 65 died and 1.6 million were treated in emergency departments because of falls. Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but easy to fix. This checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home. The checklist asks about hazards found in each room of your home. For each hazard, the checklist tells you how to fix the problem. At the end of the checklist, you’ll find other tips for preventing falls. “Making changes in our home to prevent falls is good for us and for our granddaughter when she comes to visit.” Check for Safety 1 P Check for Safety P 2
- 3. FLOORS: Look at the floor in each room. Q: When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture? Ask someone to move the furniture so your path is clear. Q: Do you have throw rugs on the floor? Remove the rugs or use double- sided tape or a non-slip backing so the rugs won’t slip. Q: Are there papers, books, towels, shoes, magazines, boxes, blankets, or other objects on the floor? Pick up things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor. Q: Do you have to walk over or around wires or cords (like lamp, telephone, or extension cords)? Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet. “Last Saturday our son helped us move our furniture. Now all the rooms have clear paths.” Check for Safety 3 P Check for Safety P 4
- 4. Ph Check for Safety 5 P Check for Safety P 6 otocourtesyofJakePauls Q: Has the stairway light bulb burned out? Have a friend or family member change the light bulb. Q: Is the carpet on the steps loose or torn? Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step, or remove the carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads to the stairs. Q: Are the handrails loose or broken? Is there a handrail on only one side of the stairs? Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and are as long as the stairs. STAIRS AND STEPS: Look at the stairs you use both inside and outside your home. Q: Are there papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs? Pick up things on the stairs. Always keep objects off stairs. Q: Are some steps broken or uneven? Fix loose or uneven steps. Q: Are you missing a light over the stairway? Have an electrician put in an over- head light at the top and bottom of the stairs. Q: Do you have only one light switch for your stairs (only at the top or at the bottom of the stairs)? Have an electrician put in a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.
- 5. KITCHEN: Look at your kitchen and eating area. Q: Are the things you use often on high shelves? Move items in your cabinets. Keep things you use often on the lower shelves (about waist level). Q: Is your step stool unsteady? If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to. Never use a chair as a step stool. BATHROOMS: Look at all your bathrooms. Q: Is the tub or shower floor slippery? Put a non-slip rubber mat or self- stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower. Q: Do you need some support when you get in and out of the tub or up from the toilet? Have a carpenter put grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet. Check for Safety 7 P Check for Safety P 8
- 6. BEDROOMS: Look at all your bedrooms. Q: Is the light near the bed hard to reach? Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach. Q: Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark? Put in a night-light so you can see where you’re walking. Some night-lights go on by themselves after dark. “I put a lamp on each side of my bed. Now it’s easy to find the light if I wake up at night.” Check for Safety 9 P Check for Safety P 10
- 7. Have your doctor or pharmacist look at all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy. Have your vision checked at least once a year by an eye doctor. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling. Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers. Improve the lighting in your home. Put in brighter light bulbs. Florescent bulbs are bright and cost less to use. It’s safest to have uniform lighting in a room. Add lighting to dark areas. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare. Paint a contrasting color on the top edge of all steps so you can see the stairs better. For example, use a light color paint on dark wood. 11 12 Check for Safety 11 P Check for Safety P 12 Other Things You Can Do to Prevent Falls Exercise regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves your balance and coordination.
- 8. Other Safety Tips Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone. Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and can’t get up. Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and can’t get up. “I feel stronger and better about myself since I started walking every day.” Check for Safety 13 P Check for Safety P 14