Increase Home Safety

Many falls happen at home, where the older adult spends most of their time, however, hazards can exist that compromise your safety. Falls can be caused by loose carpet, cords/wires on the floor, lack of handrails on stairs, dim lighting or wet floors. There are many changes you can make to your home that will help prevent falls and better ensure your safety.

Below are tips you can use to make modifications in your home to help prevent falls. They are divided into three categories: little or no cost, moderate cost, and significant cost.

Little or no cost:

• Install non-slip mats in laundry areas.
• Provide adequate space to move around furniture.
• Remove/repair unstable furniture.
• Adjust chair and bed height to make them easier to get in and out of.
• Install night lights in hallways.
• Ensure that carpets (especially on stairs) and area rugs have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor.
• Remove wheels from furniture
• Place fluorescent tape on edges of top and bottom steps.

Moderate cost

• Add ceiling lights to rooms where needed.
• Install motion-, voice-, or sound-activated lamps.
• Move electrical outlets and light switches so they are easy to reach.
• Use a portable phone that can be taken from room to room.
• Install a phone extension on each floor and in each room.
• Use a change in color to designate a change in surface type or level.
• Use heavy furniture that will not tip if used for support.
• Install handrails at a comfortable height and easy to grip in bathrooms and on both sides of hallways and stairs.
• Install assistive devices such as a shower seat, bath bench, shower hose, and raised toilet seat.
• Use a bed mattress with firm edges to make it easier to get in and out of.
• Place gates in open doorways leading to stairways.
• Install an electronic emergency response system.
• Install lamps that can be turned on by a switch near the entryway of the room.
• Paint stairs alternating colors to improve contrast between steps.
• Install bars on the sides of the bed.

Significant cost

• Modify stairs so they have a lower gradient and more depth.
• Install walk-in showers that are easy to enter and exit.
• Install easy-to-reach shelves and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Put bathroom and laundry facilities on the same floor as the bedroom.
• Install non-glare surfaces and use non-glare paints
• Install touch-sensitive flooring in the bedroom that activates the lighting system.

Use this guide to check your home, room by room, for safety

Home modification tips

In addition, an occupational therapist is available to do a home safety evaluation of the home. This would be something you would need a referral for. You can ask your Primary Care Provider to write a referral if you are interested.

During the first weeks we have focused on physical activity to include balance exercises, vision, medication management and home safety. The thoughts that we have about life and our health impact our motivation. Take a few moments to consider the following. Next week we will discuss these in class.

Thoughts and Feelings
1. Regarding my physical function, I have noticed that…
2. These changes make me feel…
3. I have learned during class that physical activity can…
4. I have decided to do the following things to reduce my risk of physical
decline