HOME SAFETY
Make My Home Safer: Practical Steps for Safer Aging at Home
A safer home does not always mean a major remodel. Start by identifying the places where everyday movement feels less secure, then work out whether simple changes, a professional assessment or a more substantial modification may help.
Start here: what should I look at first?
Start with the places used every day and note where movement feels difficult, unstable or poorly lit. Look for hazards and barriers without assuming that every problem needs building work; some may be addressed with simple changes, while others may benefit from professional input.
Floors & walkways
Notice loose rugs, clutter, uneven surfaces, trailing cords and narrow routes.
Stairs
Consider visibility, handhold, step condition and whether stairs are becoming harder to manage.
Bathrooms
Look at getting in and out of the bath or shower, toilet transfers and slippery surfaces.
Entrances & exits
Check steps, thresholds, door clearance, pathways and space to move safely.
Lighting
Check halls, stairs, entrances and routes used at night for shadows or poorly placed switches.
Reaching, sitting & transfers
Notice difficult storage, low seating and places where standing up or transferring feels less secure.
Which type of help might fit the problem?
Match the service to the main barrier rather than choosing a modification first. An assessment may help when the cause is unclear or several areas of the home are affected; a targeted service may be appropriate when the problem is specific.
Home Safety Assessments
May help when you want a broad review of hazards, everyday routes and practical priorities across the home.
Occupational Therapy Home Assessments
May be appropriate when health, mobility, transfers, cognition or daily activities shape what will work for the individual.
Grab Bars & Handrails
May help where a secure handhold is needed around steps, bathrooms, hallways or other transfer points.
Accessible Bathroom Remodeling
May be appropriate when the bathroom layout, bathing access or available maneuvering space needs more substantial change.
Stairlifts
May help when a person cannot use an internal staircase reliably but can transfer on and off a lift safely.
Wheelchair Ramps
May help when steps or level changes make the main entrance difficult for a wheelchair, scooter or walking aid user.
Simple changes or professional help?
Straightforward changes may be a sensible first step when the problem is clear and the change is low risk. Consider professional input when needs are complex, several barriers overlap or the proposed work must be tailored to the person and property.
Start with straightforward changes
- Remove or secure obvious trip hazards.
- Keep frequently used routes clear.
- Improve task and nighttime lighting.
- Move everyday items within comfortable reach.
- Choose stable seating at a practical height.
Consider professional input when…
- The right solution is unclear.
- Mobility, transfers or health needs affect the choice.
- Several rooms or routes create difficulties.
- Structural work or specialist installation may be needed.
- Different family members or professionals need a shared plan.
When a home assessment may help
A Home Safety Assessment provides a broad review of the home, common hazards and practical priorities. It may suit someone who wants an overall starting point or is unsure which area to address first.
An Occupational Therapy Home Assessment considers how the individual completes daily activities in their actual environment. It may be more appropriate when mobility, transfers, cognition, fatigue, health or equipment use needs to shape the recommendations.
Plan changes in the right order
Deal with urgent hazards first, then understand the everyday barrier before choosing a product or contractor. This helps keep the proposed change connected to the problem it is meant to address.
1
Immediate hazards
Address obvious risks and blocked routes.
2
Everyday barriers
Identify where routines feel difficult or less secure.
3
Assessment if needed
Seek a broader or individualized view when the answer is unclear.
4
Appropriate modification
Choose an option that fits the person, home and main barrier.
5
Find providers
Compare professionals who say they serve your ZIP.
What about costs and help paying?
Costs and possible sources of support vary by service, location, eligibility and the scale of work. Use Understand Costs & Funding for an overview of questions to ask and routes that may be worth checking before committing to work.
Find professionals who can help make the home safer
Choose the service that best matches the problem, then enter your ZIP to search providers serving your area.