Assess and fix factors that may contribute to falls in the living room

Try: #assess the living room frequently and keep clutter from the floor including stacks of papers or books craft bags or hobby kits toys including animals toys footstools and packages #assess the lighting in the living room by noting the way light works in the room throughout the course of a day and a night are there times when shadow or glare hides furniture obstacles or changes in floor levels if so add shades or blinds to windows to reduce glare and use brighter light bulbs add lamps if necessary look for energy-efficient natural light bulbs designed to stay cool #make sure there are enough electrical outlets next to the seats used by the cr to eliminate or reduce the need for extension cords do not run electrical cords across a walkway path or clearing where it is likely cr will walk; this is particularly important for crs with limited vision or balance problems #remove small throw rugs secure large area rugs to the floor with non-skid strips or pads make the rugs more visible by choosing them in colors that contrast highly with the flooring beneath and around them #use high-contrast color changes in carpeting or other flooring to highlight a change in the level of a floor or the type of a flooring surface #assess whether the the cr can get in and out of the seating in the living room easily soft squashy seating may need to be stiffened by the insertion of plywood boards beneath the cushions chairs that are too low may pose problems for crs with hip problems while seating that is too high may cause problems for crs with balance or circulation problems sofa heights may be raised with furniture leg risers or lowered with removal of castors or legs #if the cr is blind or has low vision teach family friends and workers to keep and return items to their assigned places including furniture for example always push chairs up against tables and never leave cleaning supplies packages vacuums etc on the floor the consequences of not seeing furniture or tripping over something on the floor could be life-threatening to a cr who is blind or has low vision

Materials: Brighter light bulbs glare-reducing shades non-skid strips or pads for under rugs high-contrast colored area rugs firm furniture with seating at appropriate height for Care recipient (cr) plywood boards or furniture leg risers if needed

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

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