Aged care home safety assessment checklist: How do you make your home safer?

Key takeaways

• A safer home may help older Australians feel more comfortable and confident in everyday routines, and help them remain independent for longer.
• Small changes, such as clearing pathways, improving lighting or moving loose rugs, can make a meaningful difference.
• A home safety assessment checklist can help identify risks in familiar spaces that may otherwise be easy to miss.

Occupational therapists and allied health professionals may help with detailed formal assessments, advice about aged care home modifications, and support workers with practical tasks.

Many older Australians want to stay in their own home for as long as possible. A safe home is one of the most important foundations for making that happen as it may help support comfort and confidence in everyday routines.

As people age, things such as vision, mobility and balance may naturally change. Areas of your or your loved one’s home that once felt easy to manage may start to feel awkward or unsafe to navigate. A loose mat, a dim hallway, a low chair or a step without a rail may not have been a concern before, but as needs change, these small things can become risks.

A home safety assessment checklist is a practical step you can take that may help make your or your loved one’s space feel more comfortable and safer. This checklist can help you review each area of the home, notice anything that may need attention, and think about where small changes or extra support may help.

The checklist can be useful if you’re ready to explore aged care home modifications, are starting to think about in-home support, or if you already have a care plan in place and want to review whether the home still suits your needs.

Why does a home safety checklist list matter for aged care?

One of the realities of ageing is that mobility, balance, strength and vision can change. These changes can make familiar spaces feel less comfortable or predictable, especially if there are worries about tripping or feeling unsteady.

Falls are also one of the leading causes of injury for older Australians, and many happen in and around the home. While not every fall leads to serious injury, a fall can affect a person’s confidence and may stop them from doing everyday things. Over time, this may impact their sense of independence.

Common household features and items can also start to pose a risk. Loose rugs, long cords, poor lighting, wet bathroom tiles, uneven outdoor paths or steps without rails may all make the home harder to move around safely.

What’s reassuring is that many of these risks are easy and affordable to address once they’re identified. Using a home safety checklist can help you work through these risks in a practical way. You may like to start by making one or two smaller changes that could help your or your loved one’s home feel safer straight away.

How do you use an aged care home safety checklist?

Here are some practical ways to use this home safety checklist:

1. Work together: You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend, family member or support worker to review your home with you to identify anything that may not be safe. If you’re caring for a loved one, involving them is important so you can keep their comfort, routines and preferences at the centre. They may know which chair feels hardest to get out of, which doorway feels narrow, or which part of the bathroom feels less secure.
2. Take your time: Set aside some time to review each room without rushing. It’s also okay to complete the checklist in stages. Some people find it easier to concentrate on one room at a time.
3. Make notes: As you review each space, you may like to make a note of anything that feels unsafe, awkward or difficult to navigate. You could also keep a list of items to follow up on, including simple fixes, such as moving a rug, and changes that may need professional help, such as installing grab rails.
4. Regular review: You may also like to come back to the checklist from time to time, especially if you or your loved one has a fall, hospital stay or change in mobility, health or confidence at home.

What home modifications can make the house safe?

This general home safety checklist is designed to help you review key areas of the home and consider what aged care home modifications may be useful for you or your loved one. You should consult with your provider and allied health professionals on specific modifications suitable for your needs.

Entrance and hallways

• Pathways are clear and wide enough to move through comfortably.
• The entrance has good lighting - sensor lights can be helpful.
• Steps and stair edges are easy to identify, non-slip surfaces and secure handrails where needed.
• Install secure handrails for front door steps, if needed.
• If the surface near the entrance is slippery when wet, consider using a non-slip mat.

Living areas

• Arrange furniture so there is enough room to move between chairs, tables and doorways.
• Remove or secure loose rugs.
• Cords are not running across the floor.
• Favourite chairs are at a comfortable height for sitting down and standing up.
• There is adequate lighting for daytime and evening use, especially near chairs, side tables and pathways.

Kitchen

• The stove and appliances are in good working order.
• Benches are clear enough for safe meal preparation.
• Frequently used items are within easy reach, ideally between shoulder and hip height, so you or your loved one doesn’t need to stretch, bend low or use steps
• If the floor near the sink gets wet, use a non-slip mat.

Bathroom and toilet

• Non-slip mats inside and outside the shower or bath.
• Grab rails near the toilet or in the shower, if needed.
• Towel rails aren’t being used for support as they’re not designed to work as grab rails
• Soap, shampoo and towels are within easy reach before showering or bathing.
• Use a shower chair or seat if standing for long periods feels tiring.
• Ensure bright bathroom lighting with sensor lights, if needed.
• Hot water temperature is set to reduce the risk of scalding.

Bedroom

• Path from the bed to the bathroom is clear, especially at night-time.
• A lamp or light switch is within easy reach from the bed.
• Bed is at a comfortable height for getting in and out of.
• There’s a phone, personal alarm or call device nearby to access support, if needed.

Outdoor areas

• Paths, driveways and garden areas are cleared of trip hazards such as uneven surfaces, cracks, moss or loose gravel.
• Steps are in good condition and have handrails if needed.
• Outdoor lighting is bright enough for early mornings and evenings.
• Garden hoses, tools and other items are stored away from paths.

What should you do with your home safety checklist results?

Once you have your completed checklist, you can then spend some time working out which items you would like to address first. Minor fixes, such as removing a loose rug, moving cords, clearing clutter or improving lighting, can often be done straight away.

Larger changes may need professional advice. This includes installing grab rails or new lighting, adding ramps, changing bathroom layouts or adjusting entrances.

In these cases, you may find it helpful to first get a formal home safety assessment by an occupational therapist. They can recommend specific modifications based on your home, mobility and routines.

If you have Support at Home funding, your support plan may include services that help make your home safer, such as domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs. If you need equipment or larger home modifications, such as grab rails, ramps or bathroom changes, you may also be able to access separate upfront funding through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, which is part of the Support at Home program.

How can you find support for home safety on Mable?

A safer home can be one of the best investments in maintaining independence at home. It may help you or your loved one feel more confident, reduce avoidable risks and make everyday routines easier to manage.

A support worker may help with ongoing safety tasks around the home. Through Mable, you can find support workers who may be able to help with:

• Practical tasks that contribute to a safer home environment, such as vacuuming, meal preparation, changing bed linen or keeping frequently used areas tidy.
• Personal care routines, depending on your needs and the support worker’s experience.
• Formal home safety assessments by engaging an occupational therapist to assess your home and recommend suitable equipment, supports or modifications.

Starting with one or two simple improvements from your checklist, such as better lighting, clearer pathways or a safer bathroom set-up, can make a meaningful difference. You may like to share the checklist with family or friends who can also help you consider where extra support could fill the gaps.

If you’re ready to make home safety modifications now, you can find independent support workers on Mable who may be able to help. You can also contact the Mable team about using Support at Home funding for home safety support.