Home Safety for Older Adults          
                  Joanne Hill, MSW

     Accidents at home are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States.  Older adults who live at home (aging-in-place) may need to make some adjustments in their home environment to accommodate the normal aging process.  There are age related physical and mental changes that impact on safety at home.  A decline in the senses of vision, touch, smell and hearing may cause older adults to make errors in judgement which in turn cause an accident. Difficulty with  balance and gait and decreases in muscle strength and flexibility may also contribute to accidents at home.  Sometimes adaptive equipment for older adults can solve these movement problems.  A decline in memory and cognition might also create hazards which are not as easily solved.  However, a safer home environment is possible for many older adults by simple repairs and home modifications.  Older adults can protect against falls, fires and accidental poisonings by taking the following precautions:

Remove clutter from floors, stairs and traffic areas.

Use sufficient lighting with maximum wattage allowed.  Use tinted bulbs to decrease glare and natural light when available.

Use safe floor coverings with slip resistant features and replace worn coverings.  Install handrails on both sides of stairway.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of home and replace batteries regularly.

Dispose of outdated medications and mark all current containers clearly with user name, contents, instructions and expiration date.

Locate telephone near bed and on low surfaces in other areas of home.  Keep lamp in easy reach from bed.

Use special bathroom devices such as non-skid mats, grab bars, shower chair and raised toilet seat in bathrooms as needed.

Use exhaust fan or open window in kitchen to clear air of smoke and vapors.  Keep water temperature under 120 degrees.

Do not smoke in bed, sleep with heating device, or put anything on top of electric blanket.

Use night lights in bedroom, bathrooms and hallways.

Use safe electrical equipment and outlets.  Call electrician or power company for an inspection.

Store all flammable liquids, gasoline and kerosene in tightly capped containers outside of living areas and away from any source of heat or flame.

Have chimney checked and cleaned by a professional once a year.

Purchase special household devices for mobility, reaching, bathing and gripping to avoid falls.

Develop and practice an emergency exit plan.  Register with local authorities for special care during a disaster.

Keep a first aid kit and disaster kit ready at all times.


The Elder Organizer provides an emergency kit checklist for disaster readiness.