Your Safety & Comfort Checklist
September is that in between month when summer starts winding down and cooler fall days are just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to open the windows, enjoy the changing season, and take a few minutes to make sure your home and medical equipment are ready for fall.
At Equip Care Medical Equipment, we know that staying safe and comfortable at home often comes down to the little things. A clear walkway, a sturdy grab bar, a properly working walker, or having a plan for your medical equipment during a power outage can make a big difference.
Before cooler weather arrives, use this simple fall checklist to help prepare yourself or someone you care for.
1. Start With Fall Prevention
As the days get shorter, good lighting becomes even more important. Take a walk through your home and look for areas that could become a fall risk.
The CDC recommends keeping floors and walkways free of clutter, improving lighting, adding grab bars around the tub, shower and toilet, and making sure stairways have secure handrails.
Take a look around your home:
☐ Remove loose rugs or secure them with non-slip backing.
☐ Keep electrical cords and oxygen tubing out of main walking paths.
☐ Clear clutter from hallways, bedrooms and living areas.
☐ Add nightlights between the bedroom and bathroom.
☐ Make sure porches, steps and entryways have adequate lighting.
☐ Check that stair railings are sturdy and secure.
☐ Consider grab bars or other safety equipment in the bathroom.
☐ Use non-slip surfaces in the tub or shower.
A few simple changes now can help make your home safer throughout the fall and winter.
2. Give Your Mobility Equipment a Fall Checkup
If you depend on a walker, rollator, wheelchair or other mobility aid, September is a good time to give it a quick inspection.
☐ Check walker or cane tips for excessive wear.
☐ Make sure rollator brakes are working properly.
☐ Check wheelchair tires, wheels and brakes.
☐ Look for loose screws, handles or other parts.
☐ Make sure your equipment still fits your current mobility needs.
☐ Keep frequently used mobility equipment within easy reach.
Your mobility needs can change over time. If you feel less steady than you once did or your current equipment is becoming difficult to use, talk with your healthcare provider about whether another type of mobility aid may be appropriate.
3. Make the Bathroom Safer
Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms to evaluate when thinking about home safety.
Consider whether you or your loved one could benefit from:
☐ Grab bars
☐ Shower chairs or transfer benches
☐ Raised toilet seats
☐ Bedside commodes
☐ Non-slip bath surfaces
☐ Additional assistance getting in and out of the shower or bathtub
Don’t wait until after a fall to think about bathroom safety. Preparing ahead can make daily routines easier and help you feel more confident at home.
4. Prepare Your Oxygen and Medical Equipment
Cooler months can bring storms and unexpected power outages, so patients who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should have a plan.
The FDA recommends that home medical equipment users understand what their device requires to operate, know what to do if it fails, keep important phone numbers available and have appropriate backup supplies or batteries when recommended for their particular device.
For fall preparation:
☐ Check electrical cords for damage.
☐ Make sure vents and filters are clean according to manufacturer instructions.
☐ Know what your equipment alarms mean.
☐ Keep operating instructions somewhere easy to find.
☐ Keep your equipment supplier’s contact information handy.
☐ Ask what you should do if the electricity goes out.
☐ Know whether your specific equipment has or requires an appropriate backup power option.
☐ Keep necessary supplies organized and easy to locate.
Never guess when it comes to powering medical equipment during an outage. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and contact your equipment provider if you have questions about your particular device.
5. Check Your CPAP or BiPAP Supplies
A new season is also a good reminder to look over your CPAP or BiPAP equipment.
☐ Inspect your mask and cushions for wear.
☐ Check tubing for cracks, leaks or damage.
☐ Replace filters according to your device’s instructions and replacement schedule.
☐ Clean equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.
☐ Check your supply inventory.☐ Contact your equipment provider if something doesn’t seem to be working correctly.
Keeping your equipment clean and properly maintained helps it perform the way it was designed to.
6. Create a Cozy and Safe Fall Setup
Fall is the season for blankets, warm drinks and cozy evenings at home. But comfort and safety should go together.
Make sure blankets don’t trail into walking paths. Keep commonly used items within easy reach so you aren’t stretching or climbing to reach them. Arrange furniture so walkers and wheelchairs have plenty of room to maneuver.
Your Equip Care Fall Safety & Comfort Checklist
Before fall gets into full swing, see how many of these you can check off:
☐ Clear walkways and remove tripping hazards
☐ Improve lighting and add nightlights where needed
☐ Check outdoor steps and railings
☐ Inspect walker, rollator, cane or wheelchair
☐ Check bathroom safety
☐ Consider grab bars, shower seating or a bedside commode if needed
☐ Inspect oxygen equipment and supplies
☐ Make a power-outage plan for electrically powered medical equipment.
☐ Check CPAP/BiPAP mask, tubing, filters and supplies
☐ Organize medical supplies in an easy-to-reach location
☐ Keep emergency and equipment-provider phone numbers handy
☐ Make sure family members or caregivers know how essential equipment works
☐ Keep cozy blankets, cords and oxygen tubing out of walking paths
☐ Talk with your healthcare provider if your mobility or equipment needs have changed
Let Equip Care Help You Get Ready for Fall
At Equip Care Medical Equipment, we’ve been serving Ada and our surrounding Oklahoma communities since 2000. As a locally owned and operated medical equipment provider, we believe our job is about more than providing equipment. It’s about helping our neighbors remain safe, comfortable and as independent as possible in the place they call home.
Whether you have questions about oxygen, CPAP or BiPAP equipment, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, bathroom safety equipment, commodes or other home medical equipment, our experienced team is here to help.
This September, take a few minutes to walk through the checklist. A little preparation today can help make the cooler months ahead safer, easier and much more comfortable.
Equip Care Medical EquipmentHelping you stay safe, comfortable and independent at home. Call 580-332-3353