Module 9 of 12 · 康复中文 Physical Therapy
平衡防跌 Balance Tests and Fall Prevention
Fall prevention in Mandarin: the fall history, balance tests, a safer home, getting up after a fall, and talking with the family.
By the end of this module you can…
- Take a fall history with respect: when, where, how, and what happened before.
- Coach the four-stage balance test, Timed Up and Go and chair stands, and explain the results plainly.
- Ask about dizziness, medicines, eyes and night-time trips to the bathroom.
- Talk through a safer home room by room, and coach getting up after a fall.
- Say which falls need 911, and include the family without talking over the patient.
Key vocabulary
Sixteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
Balance, falls and the tests
- 平衡píng héngBalance
- 单脚站dān jiǎo zhànStanding on one foot
- 并脚站bìng jiǎo zhànStanding with feet together
- 前后脚站qián hòu jiǎo zhànHeel-to-toe stance
- 起立行走qǐ lì xíng zǒuUp and Go (stand, walk, turn, sit)
- 头晕tóu yūnDizzy, lightheaded
- 摔倒shuāi dǎoTo fall (down)
- 起夜qǐ yèTo get up at night (to use the toilet)
A safer home
- 扶手fú shǒuGrab bar, handrail
- 防滑垫fáng huá diànNonslip mat
- 夜灯yè dēngNight-light
- 地毯dì tǎnRug, carpet
- 电线diàn xiànElectrical cord
- 拖鞋tuō xiéSlippers (backless)
- 浴凳yù dèngShower chair, bath stool
- 紧急呼叫器jǐn jí hū jiào qìMedical alert button
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 过去一年，您摔过跤吗？Guò qù yì nián, nín shuāi guo jiāo ma?In the past year, have you had a fall?
- 您担心会摔倒吗？Nín dān xīn huì shuāi dǎo ma?Do you worry about falling?
- 摔之前，有没有头晕、眼前发黑？Shuāi zhī qián, yǒu méi yǒu tóu yūn, yǎn qián fā hēi?Dizzy, or everything dark, before the fall?
- 我就站在您旁边，您要是站不稳，我马上扶住您。Wǒ jiù zhàn zài nín páng biān, nín yào shi zhàn bu wěn, wǒ mǎ shàng fú zhù nín.I’m right beside you, ready to steady you.
- 一只脚放在另一只脚的正前面，脚跟碰脚尖。Yì zhī jiǎo fàng zài lìng yì zhī jiǎo de zhèng qián miàn, jiǎo gēn pèng jiǎo jiān.One foot in front of the other, heel to toe.
- 听我说“开始”，您就站起来，用平常的速度走到那条线，转身，走回来，坐下。Tīng wǒ shuō “kāi shǐ”, nín jiù zhàn qǐ lai, yòng píng cháng de sù dù zǒu dào nà tiáo xiàn, zhuǎn shēn, zǒu huí lai, zuò xià.On “go”: stand, walk at your usual pace to the line, turn, come back, sit.
- 起床的时候，先坐一会儿，再慢慢站起来。Qǐ chuáng de shí hou, xiān zuò yí huìr, zài màn màn zhàn qǐ lai.Sit first, then stand up slowly.
- 在马桶旁边装个扶手。Zài mǎ tǒng páng biān zhuāng ge fú shǒu.A grab bar beside the toilet.
- 拖鞋容易滑，换成包脚跟、防滑底的鞋。Tuō xié róng yì huá, huàn chéng bāo jiǎo gēn, fáng huá dǐ de xié.Swap slippers for closed-heel, nonslip shoes.
- 如果很疼、动不了，别起来，打911。Rú guǒ hěn téng, dòng bu liǎo, bié qǐ lai, dǎ jiǔ yāo yāo.Badly hurt or can’t move: stay down, call 911.
What’s in Module 9
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Your Own Balance
- Part 2 · Balance WordsReading the PinyinSaying 摔了一跤 vs. Charting 跌倒史Vocabulary · Flash CardsThe Four-Stage Balance Test
- Part 3 · Asking About FallsThe Fall History ScriptRespect, Not BlameKey PatternsTimed Up and Go and Chair StandsDizziness, Medicines and Eyes
- Part 4 · Preventing the Next FallA Safer HomeBalance Exercise and Tai ChiGetting Up After a Fall
- Part 5 · Red Flags & FamilyAfter a Fall: Which Way?Talking With the FamilyWhat Patients SayPutting It Together
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 9 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 9 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 9 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.