Home Safety

What can I do to make the patient’s home safe?
Hallways & entryways
Bedroom
Kitchen
Bathrooms

 

What can I do to make the patient’s home safe?

Most homes are not designed for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Follow the tips below to improve home safety. You might also ask a home healthcare worker to check the home for hazards.

Throughout the house you’ll want to:

• Remove rugs or raised room dividers to prevent falls, and/or secure rugs and floor coverings.
• Move furniture to make clear pathways from room to room.
• Make sure the phone can be reached easily. Post emergency numbers by the phones.
• Identify potential hazards like dangling cords, toxins and unsteady chairs, and remove them.
• Remove clutter, especially on the floor.
• Make sure the house is well lit. (Changing light bulbs is a great way for a friend to help!)
• Make sure light switches are easy to reach.
• Check that home's smoke alarms and fire extinguishers work.
• Consider installing a personal emergency response system (to enable your family member or friend to get help with the push of a button), or get him or her a fall-monitoring device.
• Consider giving the patient an intercom, baby monitor, or bell so he or she can get the caregiver’s attention when not in the same room.

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Hallways & entryways

• If needed, build a ramp for wheelchair access.
• Add nightlights in hallways.
• Install handrails on both sides of stairways and in the halls.
• Place carpet or safety grip on the stairs.
  

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Bedroom

• Make sure the bed is not too high.
• Be sure there is a clear, well lit path from the bed to the bathroom.
• Place a phone in the bedroom.
  

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Kitchen

• Make sure that the work places are easy to reach.
• Make sure the person can sit down while preparing food or cleaning up.
  

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Bathrooms

• Install a raised toilet seat.
• Add grab bars near the toilet and bathtub.
• Use nonskid mats on the bathroom floor and in the bath and shower to prevent falls.
• Check the water faucets for ease of use.
• Check the towel racks and be sure they can support an adult.
• Check the water heater to make sure it's not set too high or too low.
  

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Next learn about...

Medication management
Transportation
Emergency preparedness