| Assessment and education |
- Minimize fall risks in all environments, including consideration of walking surface, terrain, and obstacles
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- Provide training for patients and families on wheelchair safety; raise awareness that falls out of wheelchair are a common cause of injury
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- Provide training for families in safe lifting and transfers to and from wheelchair and various surfaces in all environments
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| Common considerations or possible modifications |
| Safety of home environment |
- Remove obstacles such as rugs, toys, cords, and clutter
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| Avoidance of falls from wheelchair or mobility device |
- Use seatbelt at all times
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- Use anti-tippers on wheelchairs
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| Safety on uneven or slippery surfaces |
- Take special care when outdoors because of uneven surfaces
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- Wear pool shoes for protection against falls when walking on slippery surfaces around water
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- Use non-slip treads on ankle-foot orthoses at night to decrease fall risk when walking to and from bathroom
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| Safe transfer in and out of wheelchair |
- Consider adaptive equipment and patient lift systems early for use in all settings to provide safe support and minimize risk of falls or injury during transfers, toileting, and bathing or showering
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| Potential home modifications |
- Non-slip mats in shower or bathtub
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- Grab bars for shower or bathtub
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- Bath seat or other adaptive equipment for bathing
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- Non-slip treads for bare-wood steps
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- Handrails on both sides of stairways
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