How to Make the Home Safer for Older Adults: Room-By-Room

Many older adults across Australia are choosing to stay at home for as long as possible to enjoy the benefits of maintaining their independence for long into their later years. Staying at home can help older people keep connected to their family, friends, and community as they age. It can also help an older adult maintain a routine of day-to-day tasks, which benefits not only their independence but also their overall health and wellbeing.

However, there are a number of risks for an older person staying at home, particularly if they are living at home alone. One of our previous articles provided home safety tips to ensure a home is appropriate for an older adult to reside in. It’s also important to look at each room individually and make any necessary changes.

The following modification tips can provide a good starting point to make the necessary improvements to each room of the home, so that an older adult can stay living in their own home safely for as long as possible.

Kitchen Safety for Older Adults

• Ensure the most frequently used items are not in places that are hard to reach. To reduce the chance of injury, make sure these items are on the worktop or stored in lower cabinets.
• Increase the wattage of bulbs in key kitchen areas to increase light and improve visibility.  
• Try to replace current appliances with ones that have an automatic shut-off feature.
• Place the kitchen table in a position that is easy to manoeuvre around. For example, push it up against a wall to open up floor space.
• If the older person has poor eyesight, use colourful plates, cookware and utensils that contrast with the kitchen colours to help them see what they are doing. This can reduce confusion for older adults who are living with dementia.

Bedroom Safety for Older Adults

• Ensure the path to the bed and wardrobes is clear. Remove any unnecessary pieces of furniture and try to avoid rugs, as they can be a tripping hazard.
• Add bedrails or other devices that can help the person pull themselves up and assist with sitting up in bed.
• Put a nightlight on the nightstand to increase vision.
• Adjust the bed to ensure it is at the right height for the person. They should be able to sit on the edge of the bed comfortably with their knees bent and their feet on the floor.
• Discuss with the person whether adding a bedside commode may be a good idea to avoid any risk with trips to the bathroom in the dark.

Bathroom Safety for Seniors

• Install grab bars near the toilet and beside the shower and bath for ease of mobility.  
• Ensure there is bright lighting in the bathroom for visibility when washing.  
• Ensure the hot water heater is not set too high to avoid burns. Also, make sure hot and cold taps are clearly labelled to minimise confusion.
• Bathing should be taken into consideration. Showers should not have a step for entry – if the shower is installed over the bath, there are bathtubs available that have a door for easy manoeuvring. A seat may also be fitted in the shower, depending on the needs of the older person.
• Bathroom floors should be slip-resistant. Non-skid mats can be added to particularly slippery areas.
• The toilet may need to be modified to ensure comfort. A toilet seat riser can be added to an existing toilet.
• A coloured toilet seat helps provide contrast with the surrounding white pan, making it easier to see for people with visual impairment issues.
• A night light can be fitted in the hallway to ensure the older person can clearly see their way to the bathroom during the night.

Entryway Safety for Older Adults

• Ensure there is a clear and easy to navigate path from the driveway to the front door.
• Regularly trim and hedges or trees outdoors to ensure walking paths to the front door are wide enough for the older person.
• Consider whether the older adult may require a ramp to be installed based on their mobility level.
• Steps can be a hazard for older adults. Install handrails on both sides of any stairs and ensure stairs are wide enough for the whole foot.
• Evaluate the safety of the front door and the whole home. Ensure there are locks on the doors that are both sturdy and easy to operate. Install a peephole at a suitable height so the person can see who is visiting.
• Doormats, if used, should be a colour other than black. Black mats can frighten people living with dementia as they look like holes in the floor.

Remember that care needs are likely to change over time, and home modifications should be updated as the older adult’s abilities change. If you want to find out more about the content of this blog, and how our courses or workshops may be able to help you as a carer, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find lots of useful articles and advice on our Facebook Page.