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A bright, uncluttered hallway in a home
With thanks to Kari Shea for this Unsplash photo

Room-by-Room Walk-Through

Walk through one room at a time. Mark each item "Done" or "Not yet." When you finish, you'll see a short list of what's left. Take it at your own pace, and come back for another room any day.

These ideas are based on advice from the National Institute on Aging: Preventing Falls at Home, Room by Room.

Which room are we looking at?

Stairs and hallways

  • There are handrails on both sides of the stairs, and they feel solid.
  • You can turn on a light at the top of the stairs and again at the bottom.
  • Nothing is left sitting on the steps or the hall floor.
  • Carpets are fastened down, and there are no loose throw rugs.

Bathroom

  • Grab bars are mounted near the toilet and by the tub or shower.
  • Surfaces that get wet have a nonskid mat or strips.
  • A night light or a light left on makes the bathroom easy to find after dark.

Bedroom

  • A lamp or light switch is within reach of the bed.
  • A flashlight is kept by the bed in case the power goes out.
  • A charged phone or a landline sits near the bed.

Kitchen

  • Pots, pans and tools used every day are stored where they're easy to reach.
  • Spills get wiped up right away.
  • There's a seat for doing kitchen tasks sitting down.

Outside the front door

  • Front steps are even and in good repair.
  • Outdoor steps have non-slip material.
  • The porch light works and gets turned on before dark.
  • Walkways are cleared of leaves, branches and ice.

Living room

  • Electrical cords run along the walls, out of walking paths.
  • Furniture, especially low tables, sits out of the way.
  • Chairs and the sofa are a height that's easy to get in and out of.

Your summary

Here are the items you marked "Not yet." You can print this list or write it down. A doctor may also be able to suggest a home safety visit from a therapist or nurse.

    Before you start changing things

    This walk-through gives general safety ideas. It is not a professional home safety check or medical advice. Original Medicare doesn't pay for grab bars or stair lifts. Read our care and coverage facts for the details.