Aging in Place Checklist: A Room-by-Room Home Safety Guide

How to use this aging in place checklist

Plan a slow walk through the house on your next visit. Bring this list, a pen and your phone for photos. Invite your parent to lead the way and point out what bothers them.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggests going room by room and fixing the most urgent dangers first, such as loose stair rails or poor lighting. This list follows the same path. Most items are free or cost little, and the bigger projects are gathered near the end.

Falls are a big reason to do this now. More than one in four older adults falls each year, and less than half tell their doctor. A short walk-through can help you spot tripping risks before they cause harm.

Entrances and outside paths

Start where your parent comes and goes every day. Look at the front steps, the walkway and the door itself.

• Are the steps solid and even, with nothing broken or loose?
• Is there a porch light that works and is easy to switch on?
• Is the path clear of leaves, hoses, pots and clutter?
• Is there a place to set down bags while unlocking the door?

The NIA also suggests a grab bar near the front door. It gives your parent something steady to hold while they lock or unlock the door.

Stairs, halls and floors

Stairs and hallways are where small problems add up. Walk them slowly, the way your parent does.

• Handrails on both sides of the stairs, running the full length.
• Light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• No throw rugs or small loose rugs in walking paths.
• Cords tucked along walls, not across the floor.

If your parent loves a rug and wants to keep it, secure it with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing so it cannot slide.

Bathroom

The bathroom is wet, hard and small. Many families start here.

• Grab bars near the toilet and on both the inside and outside of the tub or shower.
• A non-slip mat or strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
• A night light so the path to the toilet is lit at night.
• Water heater set no higher than 120°F to help prevent burns.

Never count on a towel bar to hold weight, because it is not built for that. Our short video on where to put grab bars shows the common spots.

Bedroom

Nighttime trips to the bathroom are a common time for falls. Set up the bedroom so your parent can see and reach what they need.

• A lamp or light switch within reach of the bed.
• A flashlight by the bed in case the power goes out.
• A landline or a charged cell phone near the bed.
• A clear, lit path from the bed to the bathroom.

Kitchen

Watch your parent make a cup of tea or a simple meal. You will learn a lot about what is easy and what is hard.

• Everyday dishes, pots and food kept within easy reach.
• A steady step stool with a handrail, never a chair.
• A habit of wiping up spills right away.
• Smoke alarms that work. Test them on this visit.

If your parent tires while cooking, a stool at the counter lets them prepare food sitting down.

Living room and everyday spaces

This is where your parent spends most of the day. Look at how they get up, sit down and move around.

• Chairs and sofas at a height that makes standing up easy.
• Furniture, especially low coffee tables, out of walking paths.
• Pets and pet bowls kept out of the main walkway.
• Emergency numbers in large print near the phone.

Free fixes first, bigger changes later

Most items above cost little or nothing. Moving a rug, adding a night light or rearranging a shelf can be done the same day.

Bigger changes take more planning. These include stair rails, a walk-in shower, a ramp or better outdoor lighting. Make a short list of these projects and talk about them together, since your parent should have the final say in their own home.

Check the house again from time to time. The NIA notes that home safety is worth a fresh look as your parent’s needs change.

Questions families ask next

What if I live far away from my parent?

You can still use this list. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to walk through with your parent while you join by video call. Our guide on helping an elderly parent from a distance has more ideas.

What if my parent uses a walker, cane or wheelchair?

Walk the house with the device. Check that doorways, halls and the bathroom leave enough room to turn. Ask your parent’s doctor about a home safety assessment by a trained professional.

Who can help pay for home changes?

Start with the Area Agency on Aging that serves your parent’s area, which can tell you about local services. The NIA also suggests checking with your state housing finance agency, social services office and community development groups. To find the agency near your parent, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

What if my parent says no to every change?

Start small and let them choose. Explain each change in terms of what they want to keep doing. Moving a rug is easier to agree to when it helps them stay in the home they love.

Next steps after the walk-through

When you finish, save your notes and photos. They make the next visit faster. For a deeper look at fall risk, read our page on fall risk assessment. If you are new to the idea, start with what aging in place means.

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.

Checklist

• Check that the front steps are solid and even, and fix any cracks or loose spots
• Test the porch and entry lights and make sure the switches are easy to reach
• Clear walkways of clutter, leaves and hoses
• Add or tighten handrails on both sides of every staircase, running the full length
• Check for light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs, or add plug-in lights
• Remove throw rugs and small loose rugs from walking paths
• Move cords along the walls and out of walking paths
• Install grab bars next to the toilet and inside and outside the tub or shower
• Put a non-slip mat or strips on the floor of the tub or shower
• Plug in night lights in the bathroom, bedroom and hallway
• Set the water heater to 120°F or lower
• Place a lamp, a flashlight and a phone within reach of the bed
• Move everyday kitchen items to shelves within easy reach
• Swap any chair used for reaching for a steady step stool with a handrail
• Test every smoke alarm and replace weak batteries
• Check that chairs and the sofa are high enough to stand up from easily
• Post emergency numbers in large print by the phone
• Write down the bigger changes and talk them over with your parent

Frequently asked questions

KEEP EXPLORING

Keep going with the questions that come next