Before making any changes, walk through the home and identify potential hazards. Look for things that could cause trips and falls, areas with poor lighting, difficult-to-reach storage, and bathroom danger zones.

Use our room-by-room checklist to ensure you don't miss important safety concerns. Take photos to help you prioritize and track changes over time.

Focus initial efforts on the areas where falls and injuries are most likely: bathrooms, stairs, and poorly lit pathways. Installing grab bars, improving lighting, and removing trip hazards deliver the biggest safety impact for minimal cost.

Many of these changes can be completed in a weekend and don't require special tools or professional help. Quick wins build momentum for tackling bigger projects.

Look for ways to simplify routine tasks that might be becoming challenging. Reorganize kitchen and bathroom storage to keep frequently used items within easy reach. Install lever-style door handles and faucets that are easier to grip than knobs.

Small accessibility changes prevent your loved one from needing to climb, stoop, or strain to complete everyday activities—reducing fall risk while preserving independence.

Once basic safety modifications are in place, consider how technology can provide additional support. Start with simple, intuitive devices that solve specific problems your loved one experiences, rather than complex systems.

Smart home features like voice control, automated lighting, and video doorbells can significantly improve both safety and quality of life without a steep learning curve.

Safety needs will evolve as your loved one ages. Schedule regular reassessments—at least every six months or after any health change like a new medication, diagnosis, or mobility challenge.

What works initially might need adjustment over time. Be open to trying different solutions until you find what works best for your specific situation.