Fall Prevention for Older Adults

Improving Independence in the Home Environment: Assessment and Intervention

Bedroom

Problem	Potential Intervention
Rolling beds	Remove wheels; block against wall
Bed too low	Leg extensions Blocks Second mattress Adjustable height hospital bed
Lighting	Bedside light Night light Flashlight (attaches to walker or cane) Remote controlled switches (radio/electronics store)
Sliding rugs	Remove Rubber back Tack down Two sided tape (hardware store)
Slippery floor	Non-skid wax No wax Rubber soled footwear
Thick rug edge/ threshold	Metal strip at edge Stripe to make change Remove threshold Tack or tape down edges
Far from bathroom	Mobility aid next to bed Bedside commode Urinal
Night-time calls	Bedside phone Cordless phone Emergency response system Intercom Buzzer
Access clothes	Place clothes in easy to reach drawers, shelves, or hangers Lower rod in closet
Can’t see clock	Large faced clock radio Braille alarm clock Talking alarm clock

Note: The interventions described in this assessment serve only as suggestions. A complete assessment of a person’s individual needs should be conducted by a team of licensed and trained professionals. Any intervention or modification to a building must comply with local, state, and federal laws and building codes. In apartments or rental homes, written permission to make modifications should be obtained from the landlord, owner, or property manager. Architectural interventions should be assessed by a licensed architect and carried out by a licensed construction contractor.

Reproduced from: Assessment and Intervention of the Home Environment for Older Persons, Center for Therapeutic Applications of Technology, University of Buffalo, 515 Kimball Tower, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, New York, 14214-3079, phone (716) 829-3141, fax (716) 829-3217. http://wings.buffalo.edu/academic/department/hrp/ot/cat/

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Last updated: 16 September, 2009

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