Walker Safety
This item should never be across the room when you're trying to stand up.
Walker
Always lock these on a wheelchair before getting in or out. Why?
Brakes
How can you ask for help before transferring?
Name a common tripping hazard in SNF rooms or hallways.
cords, rugs, clothes
Your pet is lying in the hallway while you’re walking with your walker.
Stop, get your pet to move, or walk around using your walker—never step over them.
When using a walker, where should your hands be?
On your walker so you stay steady to avoid a fall.
True of False: It is safe to lean back in a wheelchair by yourself.
FALSE- leaning back can tip your chair and cause injury
You are standing to transfer from a chair to the toilet but feel dizzy and unsteady. What is the safest action?
Wait until you feel steady, ask for help
Your smoke detector beeps and you try to climb on a chair to stop the noise. This is extremely unsafe because of this fall-risk factor.
climbing on unstable furniture
You need to get up, but your walker or wheelchair is across the room. What should you do?
Ask somebody to move it closer.
Name 2 times you should lock your walker breaks.
When standing up or when you are bending down/grabbing something from the ground.
Some wheelchairs have foot pedals. Why should you always put your feet on them?
To prevent your feet from getting caught or injured.
How should the environment be prepared before transferring in your room?
clean/clear paths of travel, WC/walker close by
You notice that a loose rug in the hallway near your room could cause someone to trip. What should you do?
Tell someone so it can be secured or removed.
You need to transfer to a wheelchair but the floor is wet from cleaning. What is the safest choice?
Wait for the floor to dry/ask for help
When turning with a walker what is the safest option?
1) Turning fast
2) Take small with slow steps
Slow, small steps to prevent tipping or losing balance.
You are in your wheelchair and want to reach an item on a high shelf. What should you do?
Ask for help
You want to answer a ringing phone across the room and consider taking a shortcut between furniture. This is unsafe because of this reason.
What is narrow pathways increase the risk of catching on furniture and losing balance?
Name 3 ways to keep your space organized.
laundry basket, putting things away in drawers, don't throw items on the floor
You are trying to get down the hallway, but your path is blocked by somebody in a wheelchair and the cleaning cart. What should you do?
Wait until you have room to get by or ask them to move
Name 2 things on the floor that could make you fall while using a walker
Shoes, cords, rugs...
Name 3 times your Wheelchair brakes should be locked.
Transferring in and out, reaching for something
You are attempting to transfer from your wheelchair to a shower chair, but the bathroom floor is wet, the wheelchair brakes are partially engaged, and your walker is in the corner of the room. What is the safest way to complete this transfer?
Do not attempt the transfer alone. Ensure the wheelchair brakes are fully engaged, clear the path or move the walker, wait for staff assistance, and use proper transfer techniques to prevent falls.
Name 3 ways to prevent falls in a bathroom.
make sure floors are dry, grab bars, shower chair, ask for help
You want to reach for a personal item on the floor but your balance is poor. What should you do?
Use a reacher/grabber, ask for help