As we age, maintaining independence while ensuring safety becomes a priority. If you’re welcoming a loved one with mobility issues into your home or helping them prepare their own home, it’s essential to create an environment that minimizes fall risks and promotes comfort. We encourage you to use this blog as a guide and also a checklist as you prepare your or your loved ones’ home to keep them safe.

1. Assess and Identify Hazards

Start by conducting a thorough assessment of your home to pinpoint any potential risks that could lead to falls. Walk through each room and pay close attention to areas that may pose a threat to someone with mobility issues:

• • Loose rugs or carpets: These are common tripping hazards. Either secure them with non-slip pads or remove them entirely to create a safer surface for walking or using mobility aids.
  • Clutter: Clear pathways of any unnecessary furniture, cords, or objects that could obstruct movement or cause tripping. This is especially important in high-traffic areas like hallways or living rooms.
  • Sharp corners: Protect sharp edges on furniture such as tables or countertops by using corner guards. In the event of a fall, these guards can help minimize the risk of injury.
  • Flooring transitions: Ensure smooth transitions between different flooring types. Small thresholds or uneven floors can be tripping hazards, so consider adding ramps or leveling where needed.
  • Lighting: Poorly lit areas can increase the likelihood of a fall. Ensure that all rooms, stairways, and hallways are well-lit to improve visibility, especially at night.

2. Enhance Lighting

Proper lighting is essential for preventing falls, especially for individuals with mobility challenges or impaired vision. Here are ways to improve lighting throughout your home to increase safety:

• • Install bright, energy-efficient bulbs: Ensure that all areas of the home, particularly staircases, hallways, and entryways, are well-lit with bright, energy-efficient bulbs. Adequate lighting reduces shadows and makes it easier to spot obstacles, preventing trips or missteps.
  • Use night lights: Place night lights in key areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways to provide visibility during the night. This helps prevent accidents when moving around in the dark, especially when getting up from bed or heading to the bathroom.
  • Consider motion-sensor lights: Motion-sensor lighting is a convenient way to enhance safety without needing to search for a light switch. Install these in hallways, entryways, or other commonly used pathways so that lights automatically turn on when someone enters the area, ensuring a safe and well-lit passage.
  • Improve lighting in outdoor areas: Don’t forget outdoor spaces like walkways, driveways, and entry stairs. Adequate lighting in these areas is crucial to avoid missteps, especially in the evening or during winter months when daylight is limited.

3. Modify the Bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous areas in the home for falls due to wet surfaces and limited space. Implementing a few key modifications can significantly improve safety for individuals with mobility limitations:

• • Install grab bars: Place sturdy grab bars near the toilet, in the shower, and by the bathtub to provide extra support. These bars offer a secure handhold when standing up, sitting down, or moving in and out of the shower or tub, greatly reducing the risk of slipping.
  • Use a shower chair: A shower chair allows individuals to sit while bathing, reducing the need to stand on potentially slippery surfaces. Paired with a handheld showerhead, it enables a safer and more comfortable bathing experience, minimizing the risk of losing balance.
  • Add non-slip mats: Place non-slip mats both inside the shower or bathtub and on the bathroom floor. These mats provide additional grip, preventing slips on wet tiles or surfaces.
  • Adjust water temperature controls: Consider installing anti-scald devices or thermostatic mixing valves to regulate water temperature. This can help prevent sudden temperature changes that could cause someone to react quickly and slip.
  • Widen bathroom entrances: If space allows, widening the doorway can improve access for those using wheelchairs or walkers, making it easier to navigate the bathroom safely.

4. Choose the Right Furniture

Selecting functional and supportive furniture is key to enhancing safety and comfort for individuals with mobility challenges. The right furniture can make daily activities like sitting, standing, and resting much easier:

• • Opt for sturdy lift chairs: Lift chairs with built-in motors can gently raise or lower the user, making it easier to transition from sitting to standing without straining. Choose chairs with armrests for added support and stability during movement.
  • Avoid low furniture: Low chairs, sofas, and beds can be difficult for individuals with limited mobility to get in and out of. Opt for furniture with a higher seat level, which makes sitting down and standing up less strenuous, reducing the risk of falls or strain.
  • Consider adjustable beds: Adjustable beds allow users to change the height and position of the mattress with ease. This makes getting in and out of bed safer, especially for those who have trouble lifting themselves up from a flat surface. These beds also provide comfort adjustments that can alleviate discomfort from long periods of sitting or lying down.
  • Ensure furniture stability: Check that all furniture, especially chairs and tables, is sturdy and stable. Wobbly or lightweight furniture can easily tip over and pose a hazard during transitions or when used for support.

5. Utilize Mobility Aids

Incorporating the right mobility aids into the home is essential for promoting independence and ensuring safety for individuals with mobility limitations. These aids can help navigate difficult areas and reduce the risk of falls:

• • Provide access to walkers or canes: Ensure that your loved one has the appropriate mobility aids, such as a walker or cane, depending on their level of mobility. These aids provide extra stability and support during movement, making everyday tasks easier and safer.
  • Install stair ramps: Mobility ramps can be a game-changer for anyone who has difficulty with stairs or door thresholds. Install ramps at entryways or over interior door thresholds to eliminate barriers and allow for smoother passage, especially for those using walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters.
  • Consider a stairlift: For homes with multiple levels, a stairlift is a valuable addition that can eliminate the risk of falls on the stairs. Stairlifts allow individuals to safely navigate between floors without needing to climb stairs, offering both comfort and security.
  • Handrails along walkways: In addition to ramps, consider installing sturdy handrails along hallways, stairs, and other frequently used pathways to offer additional support and prevent falls.
  • Fall recovery device: Consider keeping a fall recovery device in the home as an added layer of support and reassurance that your loved one can safely recover if a fall occurs. 

6. Establish a Communication System

Having a reliable communication system in place is essential for ensuring your loved one can easily reach out if they need assistance, especially in case of an emergency:

• • Keep a phone nearby: Make sure your loved one has easy access to a phone at all times. Place phones in frequently used rooms like the bedroom, living room, and kitchen, or provide them with a mobile phone that can be kept close by. Consider phones with larger buttons or voice-activated features for ease of use.
  • Consider a medical alert system: Medical alert systems are a great way to provide peace of mind. These devices allow your loved one to call for help with the press of a button. Many systems also offer fall detection features, which automatically alert emergency contacts or medical professionals in case of a fall.
  • Use wearable alert devices: Wearable technology, such as smartwatches or specialized medical wearables, can be a lifeline for someone with mobility limitations. These devices can track movements and alert family members or caregivers in case of a fall or emergency, ensuring help is available when needed.
  • Intercom or monitoring system: If you live in the same home or nearby, consider installing an intercom or home monitoring system so that your loved one can quickly and easily reach you when needed.

7. Encourage Regular Exercise

Staying physically active is vital for maintaining strength, balance, and mobility, which can significantly reduce the risk of falls. Encouraging regular exercise, tailored to individual abilities, can enhance overall stability and confidence:

• • Gentle stretching or yoga: Look for yoga classes or stretching routines specifically designed for seniors or individuals with mobility limitations. These gentle exercises help improve flexibility, balance, and range of motion, reducing the likelihood of trips and falls.
  • Strength training with light weights or resistance bands: Strength training is an effective way to build muscle and enhance stability. Using light weights or resistance bands, individuals can perform exercises to strengthen their legs, arms, and core, all of which contribute to better balance and control during daily movements.
  • Balance-focused exercises: Incorporate balance exercises such as standing on one foot or using balance boards to improve coordination and reduce the risk of losing balance in everyday situations.
  • Water-based exercises: For those who struggle with joint pain or have difficulty with weight-bearing exercises, water aerobics or swimming can provide a low-impact option to stay active while strengthening muscles and improving cardiovascular health.

8. Involve Your Loved One in the Process

Involving your loved one in preparing their living space is crucial for fostering a sense of independence and ensuring that the modifications align with their needs and preferences. By engaging them in the process, you help them feel valued and more comfortable in their home:

• • Discuss their preferences and needs: Have open conversations about what changes they feel would be most helpful. Whether it’s the placement of grab bars or the type of furniture, their input is key to creating a space that not only meets safety requirements but also feels comfortable and familiar to them.
  • Offer choices: When selecting mobility aids, furniture, or home modifications, present different options and let your loved one make decisions about the features that work best for them. This helps them feel more in control of their environment.
  • Empower them to make decisions: If your loved one is able, encourage them to take part in the decision-making process, from selecting colors for ramps or grab bars to deciding on the type of mobility aid they prefer. This engagement can help maintain their sense of independence and dignity.
  • Incorporate personal touches: Include items or modifications that reflect their personal style and preferences. This can be as simple as adding familiar decor or choosing safety equipment that matches the aesthetic of their home.

Create a Safe Environment

We hope this blog has helped you feel empowered to create a safe environment for your loved one with mobility challenges. By carefully assessing potential hazards, improving lighting, modifying high-risk areas like bathrooms, and incorporating supportive furniture and mobility aids, you can greatly reduce the risk of falls. These proactive measures not only enhance physical safety but also promote a sense of independence and confidence for your loved one. By involving them in the process and ensuring they have the right tools and resources, you’re fostering a supportive and loving home that prioritizes both safety and comfort, allowing them to live with greater ease and peace of mind.