Knox County Tennessee

Home Safety

Don’t let your home be a danger zone for you and your loved one! Older adults are more susceptible to falling so making your home safe is a priority. Have plenty of lighting, get rid of throw rugs and install grab bars by toilets and showers. Simple steps can take your home from being a danger zone to being a safe haven for you or your loved one. Stop falls before they stop you.

Fall Prevention Safety Checklist

Vision Safety

Falls often result in serious injuries, decreased mobility, and loss of independence. Recommendations for maintaining vision health include:

Preventing Falls:

  • Getting a dilated eye exam at least once a year to reduce the risk of irreversible vision loss and update glasses if needed.
  • Talk to your doctor about evaluating risk for vision impairment and/or falls and how to prevent falls.

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

Medication Management

Recommendations for medication management include:

  • Review your medications with your doctor(s) and your pharmacist at each visit, and with each new prescription.
  • Ask which of your medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness as a side effect.
  • Be sure to let your doctor know if you notice any new side effects or interactions.

Maintaining Your Medication Record Form | Consider some of the following:

  • Why is the medication being prescribed?
  • How long will it be before the medicine should be helping?
  • What side effects should I watch for? Talk to your doctor if you have side effects like: Dizziness, light headedness, sleepiness during the day, confusion, or lack of coordination in the legs.
  • How much and when do I take this medicine?
  • If you're experience side effects, are there alternative options to this medication?
  • Should I take this prescription with food?
  • Are there any medications that are doing the same thing? Can any be eliminated?


Have Questions?
Call: 865-215-5555
Email: health@knoxcounty.org


On the first Wednesday of each month (excluding August), KCHD will open at 11 a.m. due to monthly in-service. The 2024 in-service dates include Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.