If you chose to spend time visiting a senior loved one at their home over the holidays, you may find yourself wondering how safe they are living alone. Adult children often find themselves in the position of trying to evaluate an older family member’s home environment for safety. Do the stairs have strong handrails? Is the bathroom a hazard? Making that determination is difficult when you aren’t quite sure what you should be looking for.
To help you evaluate their home, we have pulled together this Home Safety Checklist for caregivers and seniors. We hope this tool will be useful for you to identify any potential problem spots.
| Issue | What To Look For | Concerns to Address |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Risks | Pathway around favorite chair/couch and bed is free from clutter | |
| Grab bars are in place near bedside, tub, and toilet | ||
| No cords running across floors | ||
| No scatter rugs or throw rugs | ||
| Non-skid shoes and slippers available | ||
| Thresholds are level and secure | ||
| Good lighting in all rooms | ||
| Night lights in key areas | ||
| Raised toilet seat if needed | ||
| Bathroom modified for easy access | ||
| Stairways | Bright lighting with switches top and bottom | |
| Secure handrails | ||
| Clear steps with secure treads | ||
| Fire & Carbon Monoxide | Smoke detectors on each level | |
| Carbon monoxide detector installed | ||
| Fire extinguisher in kitchen | ||
| Furnace inspected twice yearly | ||
| Easy-reach stove knobs | ||
| Exterior Safety | Handrails on all steps | |
| Motion lighting at doors and walkways | ||
| Crack-free sidewalks and driveways | ||
| Snow/ice removal plan | ||
| General | Secure door and window locks | |
| Home alarm system with signs | ||
| Flashlights in key locations | ||
| Phones in all rooms | ||
| Medical alert system in use | ||
| Medication management system in place |
We hope this tool gives you the information you need to objectively assess your senior loved one’s home for safety. For additional safety tips for seniors, check out our blog on winter safety tips.
