Lifeline How To Create a Safer Home Instruction Manual

Lifeline How To Create a Safer Home

Product Information

The Lifeline Falls Prevention Guidebook is a comprehensive resource designed to help create a safer home environment by eliminating common causes of falls. This guidebook includes before-and-after images to assist in identifying and removing fall hazards in various rooms of the home. It also provides advice on what to do if a fall occurs. Falling is not only a serious health risk in itself but can also be related to other major health issues.

Lifeline Falls Prevention Guidebook

• We can’t prevent every fall, but we can help reduce the likelihood of trips and slips that lead to them.
• This guide provides before-and-after images to help you identify and remove fall hazards in the home, and includes advice on what to do if you happen to fall.
• Falling is a serious health risk on its own and can be related to other major health issues.
• The time to prepare is now, before a fall happens. In addition to making every effort to remove the fall risks in your environment, make a plan for after you fall.
• Think about how you would get up from a prone position to sitting or standing.
• If you can’t get to your feet, call for someone you live with, use a medical alert system or dial 9-1-1 if your cell phone is within reach.
• If you’re with someone who has fallen and don’t think you can help them up in a way that’s safe for both of you, call 9-1-1.

Bathroom

Bathroom: needs improvement

• Tight spaces and wet floors make the bathroom one of the most likely places for falls.
• Lack of a nightlight makes it hard to see at night or in low light.
• Unsecured bath mats can slide out from underfoot, and wet floors can lead to slips.
• Slippery surfaces can cause you to lose your balance or fall while getting in or out of the shower or tub.

To improve safety in the bathroom:

1. Install grab bars to increase safety.
2. Consider installing an automatic motion- and light-sensitive nightlight to improve visibility and increase security.
3. Remove or secure bath mats, or replace them with non-slip options to make it safer to get in and out of the tub or shower.
4. Use a sturdy shower seat to reduce the risk of losing balance and consider installing a handheld shower unit to eliminate the need for reaching overhead.

Bedroom

• The chair positioned too close to the door may make exiting the room difficult.
• Shoes, small rugs, and other items on the floor can cause tripping, especially in the dark or when waking up.
• Clutter on the nightstand can easily be knocked off, creating a potential tripping hazard.
• Without space for a phone, there is a risk of tripping or losing balance in the rush to answer a call.

To improve safety in the bedroom:

1. Relocate the chair to clear the path to the door.
2. Move shoes and slippers out of walking areas or secure them to the floor.
3. Declutter the nightstand to eliminate potential tripping hazards.
4. Place a phone or Lifeline device on the nightstand for easy access to help 24/7.

Bedroom (Continued):

• Low visibility at night increases the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls.
• The walker is not easily accessible from the bed.
• Electrical cords and charging cables are easy to trip over.
• Bed linens and other items on the floor may create a tripping hazard or cause a fall.

To further improve safety in the bedroom:

1. Install an automatic motion- and light-sensitive nightlight to make it easy to find your way at night.
2. Ensure assistive equipment, such as a walker, is easily accessible from the bed.
3. Safely move cords and charging cables to prevent tripping.
4. Keep the floor clear of any bed linens or other items that may cause a tripping hazard or fall.

Living room: needs improvement

1. Items on the floor increase the likelihood of tripping.
2. Cables, cords and wiring in open spaces are easy to trip over.
3. A loose throw rug or blanket on the floor is easy to trip over.

Much better

1. Moving objects off the floor clears your path.
2. Running cords behind or under furniture makes walking safer.
3. Removing or securing rugs makes moving around the room safer.

Stairs: needs improvement

1. Loose items on stairs and landings are easy to trip over or slip on.
2. Shadows and dim conditions increase the likelihood of missing steps or slipping.
3. Without a handrail, even a small misstep can turn into a major fall.

Much better

1. Keeping items off the stairs allows you to focus on the steps and reduces loss of balance from trying to avoid items.
2. Adding ceiling lights with switches at the top and bottom of the stairwell, or automatic light- and motion-sensors stairway lighting ensures you can see where you’re stepping.
3. Installing a secured handrail at the proper height provides support and improves balance.

By following these recommendations and making necessary improvements, you can significantly reduce the risk of falls and create a safer home environment.

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References

• Lifeline | Medical Alert Systems

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