Fall Prevention for Older Adults

Improving Independence in the Home Environment: Assessment and Intervention

Home Management

Problem	Potential Intervention
Laundry	Easy to access (basement, stairs, etc.) Sit on stool to access clothes in dryer Good lighting Fold laundry sitting at table Carry laundry in bag on stairs Use cart Use laundry service
Mail	Easy to access mailbox Mail basket at door Ask carrier to place in a specific location (same with paper boy)
Housekeeping	Assess safety and manageability No bend dust pan Lightweight all surface sweeper Provide with resources for assistance if needed
Controlling thermostat	Mount in accessible location Large print numbers (available from gas company in some areas) Remote controlled thermostat (radio/electronics store)

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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