Home Safety for the Elderly: A Practical Guide to a Secure Home

Your home is often the heart of a relaxed, stress-free retirement. However, you may need to make changes to your home over time as your needs change.

Making your home safer doesn’t have to be about making drastic changes. Instead, it’s about taking simple, manageable steps over time that help you maintain your independence.

Taking a proactive approach to safety can lower the risk of you getting hurt at home. This can also help your family to feel more reassured that you can look after yourself without any help.
 

Home safety for independent living: A quick summary

• Reduce fall risks: Clear your main pathways of daily clutter and secure loose cables. It is also helpful to remove loose rugs or low-profile furniture to create a safer walking space.
• Enhance visibility: Brighten the lighting in your hallways and stairways. You can also consider motion-sensor nightlights between the bedroom and bathroom to help lower the risk of trips in the dark.
• Secure key spaces: Consider installing sturdy grab rails in the bathroom. Ensuring your stairs have secure handrails on both sides can also provide excellent support during daily movement.
• Prioritise accessibility: Keep your frequently used household items at waist or shoulder height. Storing things within easy reach can help you avoid stretching or using unstable step stools.

Simple steps: Your home safety checklist for elderly living

You can use this checklist to help make your home safer:

• Clearing the path – Keep hallways and walkways completely free from clutter. It is worth tidying away loose trailing leads or appliance cables. You should also remove loose rugs or secure them firmly to the floor to prevent trips.
• Lighting the way – Good visibility is important for navigating your home safely. Ensure that all hallways, landings, and stairs are properly lit. This simple change is particularly helpful for individuals with visual impairments.
• Reaching safely – Store your everyday items on lower, easily accessible shelves. Moving frequently used objects down helps you avoid the need for stretching. It also removes the risk of falling off unstable step stools.
• Support underfoot – Take a moment to look at your daily footwear. Ensure that they fit well and provide enough support. You should also check that the rubber tips on walking aids are not worn down.
• Using helpful tools – Consider using a long-handled grabber tool to pick up dropped objects safely. This simple device removes the strain of bending down unexpectedly.
• Staying connected – Keep your vital emergency contacts clearly displayed. You can place them near a telephone with large, easy-to-read buttons. Alternatively, you can save them directly onto a dedicated speed dial button.

Making high-risk areas safer: Bathrooms and stairs

You can look at several practical changes to make these spaces much safer for later living:

• The Bathroom – Placing non-slip rubber mats directly inside the bath or shower can help prevent slipping. Installing secure grab rails on the wall can also provide extra stability when moving around. A walk-in shower could also be a much safer, long-term alternative to a traditional bath.
• The Stairs – Navigating stairs safely requires firm and steady support. Take time to check that your current handrails are completely secure. If you feel you need extra stability, a second handrail could be helpful and can give you more confidence using the stairs.
• Furniture Height – Low seating can place unnecessary strain on your joints. If you find it difficult to stand up or sit down, consider changing your furniture height. Using a specialised chair or a bed raiser can make a significant difference. These simple, low-cost tools can help make sitting down and standing up much easier.

Every home is different, and the right adjustments will always depend on your personal circumstances.
 

Gas, fire, and environmental safety

When thinking about home modifications, it is also important to look at hidden risks. Environmental hazards like gas leaks, electrical faults, or fires can happen unexpectedly. However, regular household checks and careful preparation can significantly reduce these dangers.

You can look at several simple steps to protect your property and your well-being:

• Gas and Electric safety – It can be well worth booking an annual boiler service with an engineer that is on the Gas Safe Register. You might also consider switching from a gas hob to an electric model. This change removes the risk of open burners being left on accidentally.
• Household Alarms – It can be a good habit to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly. For later living, you may consider monitored alarms, sensory alarms (ones that are extra loud and flash) and long-life battery alarms.
• Flood Preparation – You can look at installing temporary physical barriers to keep water out. It is also wise to pack a small emergency “grab kit". Ensure it contains essential medication, torches, and energy-rich food.
• Kitchen Safety – Consider switching to a lightweight, cordless kettle to make pouring easier. You can also reduce the maximum water temperature directly at your boiler. This adjustment helps prevent accidental scalds from your taps.

Security, scams, and practical support

Here are some practical options to improve your home security and reduce the risk of being scammed:

• Physical Security – Consider using strong door chains and clear peepholes before opening your door. It can also be a good idea to ensure a trusted neighbour has a spare key for emergencies.
• Scam Awareness – Remind yourself that you never have to feel pressured by unexpected cold callers. You can always politely turn away doorstep sellers who arrive without an appointment. Be wary of any telemarketer that is asking you for your financial details.
• Handyperson Services – Maintaining a property can sometimes feel overwhelming on your own. Fortunately, you do not have to tackle home maintenance jobs by yourself. Local charities like Age UK often run reliable handyperson schemes to assist you. You can also look at vetted "Trusted Trader" groups in your local area. These services can help with small jobs like fixing loose handrails or removing sudden trip hazards.

Using equity release for home improvements

Investing in major property modifications can be a significant step toward staying independent. Alterations like installing a walk-in shower can help you continue living in your home in later life independently. However, these types of renovations often come with significant upfront costs. Major modifications may also need to be reviewed and agreed by your lender before any work begins.

There are several ways you might choose to cover these. For homeowners aged 55 and over, using funds from equity release is one option to consider. This route can provide the money needed to pay for vital home safety improvements. However, it is important to remember that equity release is a long-term commitment. A lifetime mortgage, which is a type of equity release and is a loan secured against your home, can have a lasting impact on your overall financial position. With this type of plan, the interest rolls up and compounds over time. As a result, this compounding process can significantly reduce the final value of your estate. It can also reduce the inheritance you eventually leave behind for your loved ones.

Additionally, releasing equity from your property may affect your entitlement to certain means-tested benefits. It could also impact your personal tax position.

Because of these risks, you should look at alternative options as a first step. It can be a good idea to check if you qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council. You can also research other available financial benefits for retirees. Exploring these avenues first can help ensure you make the right choice for your specific circumstances.

If you’re considering using equity release to fund home improvements, you can use the calculator to check how much you can release.
 

Home improvements for the elderly (FAQs)

What is the home safety checklist for the elderly?

Taking simple, proactive steps can help you stay safe and independent in your home:

• Clearing walkways – Removing daily clutter from your main pathways can help avoid stepping on items and falling over.
• Securing rugs – It can also be helpful to secure loose rugs firmly to prevent accidental trips.
• Improving lighting – Upgrading visibility in your hallways and staircases can help prevent accidents.
• Installing supports – Consider adding secure grab rails in the bathroom to provide extra stability.

What is the best alarm system for the elderly?

There is no single best alarm system; each house is different and requires a different system, for example:

• If the person is hard of hearing, a sensory/extra-loud smoke/carbon monoxide alarm could be helpful.
• If the person needs additional support, a pendant alarm that can connect them to a 24/7 monitoring centre or a family member can provide peace of mind for them and their loved ones.

What are the 5 safety rules at home?

1. Clear floors – Keeping the main walkways completely free from clutter reduces the risk of tripping.
2. Well-lit staircases – Ensuring that all stairs and landings are properly lit can reduce the risk of falling over.
3. Test alarms – Testing alarms at least once a month can reduce the risk of them running out of battery power.
4. Watch cooking – Not leaving pans or pots on the hobs unattended can reduce the risk of a kitchen fire.
5. Service appliances – Scheduling an annual safety check for all your gas appliances with a registered engineer can help keep the appliances working properly.