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Here are some tips for adapting your living areas that might help prevent falls or
other accidents.
Living rooms and bedrooms
Place furniture with wide spaces in between, giving you enough room
move around. If necessary, have steady handrails installed in your home.
If possible, arrange furniture so outlets are available for lamps and
appliances without the need for extension cords. If you do use extension cords, make sure they are secured with tape and out of the way so you don’t
trip on them.
Use chairs with straight backs, armrests, and firm seats. This will
make it much easier for you to get up and sit down. Add firm cushions to
existing pieces to add height and make it easier to move.
Invest in touchable lamps or those that react to sound. Adapt your
phone by changing the small buttons to larger push buttons to ease dialing.
Have frequently called numbers entered into speed dial.
Install handrails along walls, hallways, and stairwells where there is
nothing to hold onto for balance.
Objects such as a stationary pole or "trapeze" bar can be
installed if you have difficulty getting out of bed.
If you have a lot of difficulty getting in and out of bed,
try sleeping in a reclining chair.
Bathroom
- Use an elevated toilet seat and/or safety
rails to assist standing from a low surface.
- Do not use towel racks or bathroom tissue
holders to help you stand.
- Put extended lever handles on faucets to make
them easier to turn.
- Install grab bars inside and outside the
bathtub or shower.
- Use a bathtub transfer bench or a shower chair
with a back support.
- Put
a non-skid mat or decals in the bath tub.
- Remove small bathroom rugs that might cause you to trip. Instead, purchase a
large rug that covers most of the floor. Apply non-stick backing or install
wall-to-wall carpeting.
Kitchen
Have a least one counter workspace that has been lowered so you can
reach it from a sitting position.
Store food and beverages (such as milk or juice) in small, easy to
manage containers.
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