Home Safety Checklist for Mom's Home
Mom's biggest risk areas are the upstairs tub, where she already slipped once, and her nighttime walks from bedroom to bathroom through a dark hallway. The steep stairs, with a rail on one side only, are also a concern, especially with bifocals. The porch and garage steps with no railings come next, and her terrier underfoot adds a little extra trip risk everywhere. The good news is that many of these fixes are quick, and several are free.
What I assumed: Mom's bedroom, the upstairs hallway, and the bathroom are all on the same floor, so most night trips stay upstairs. The garage is attached to the house. You'll spend your first $300 on the highest-risk items and save the bigger projects, like railings, for the next few months.
Do These 5 Things First
Put real grab bars at the tub and stop using the towel bar as support. Why: Towel bars aren't built to hold a person's weight and can rip out of the wall, and she has already slipped here once. How: Have a handyman install one or two stainless grab bars anchored into wall studs or "blocking" (solid wood behind the wall), and add non-slip strips inside the tub.
Light up the bedroom-to-bathroom path. Why: She makes this trip 2-3 times every night, often half-awake and in the dark. How: Plug in motion-sensor night lights along the route (bedroom, hallway, bathroom) so the path lights up as soon as she moves.
Make the stairs easier to see and hold onto. Why: Steep stairs with one rail are hard, and bifocals can make step edges look blurry when you look down through the lower lens. How: Add bright, motion-sensor lights at the top and bottom right away. Then plan a second handrail on the right side as one of your next projects.
Add railings to the front porch and garage steps. Why: She uses these steps often, and there's nothing to grab if she loses her balance, especially carrying bags or in wet or icy weather. How: For now, keep the steps clear and well lit and keep her cane handy at the doors. Then have a pro install sturdy railings when the budget allows, starting with the porch.
Clear the living room walking paths. Why: Throw rugs are a top cause of trips, and a coffee table in the middle means walking around obstacles, sometimes with a terrier at her feet. How: Roll up and store both throw rugs (free!), and move the coffee table to the side or swap it for a smaller side table so the path is wide and open.
A $300 starting plan idea: Do all the free items first. Then put your money toward professionally installed tub grab bars, non-slip tub strips, motion night lights for the night path and stairs, and a bell for the dog's collar. Save the second stair rail, the porch and garage railings, and any tub door changes for your next round.
Room-by-Room Checklist
Upstairs Bathroom
- Towel bar used for support: Install grab bars anchored into studs or blocking: one on the wall where she steps in and out, and one along the long wall. Never rely on suction-cup bars as main support.
$$$ - Slippery tub floor: Add non-slip adhesive strips or a rubber suction mat inside the tub.
$ - Floor outside the tub: Use a bath mat with a non-slip rubber backing that lies flat, or none at all. Wipe up water right away.
$ - Sliding glass tub door: The track adds a lip to step over, and the door isn't safe to hold onto. Consider having it removed and replaced with a curtain rod and curtain, which also makes a transfer bench easier to use.
$$–$$$ - Standing to shower: Consider a tub transfer bench (a seat that sits half in and half out of the tub so she can sit, then swing her legs over) or a shower chair.
$$ - Fixed showerhead: Add a handheld shower on a hose so she can wash while seated.
$$ - Toilet height: If getting up from the toilet takes effort, try a raised toilet seat or a toilet safety frame (a frame with armrests that fits around the toilet).
$$ - Bathroom lighting: Use a plug-in motion night light so she never hunts for the switch at night.
$ - Bath items within reach: Keep shampoo and soap on a shelf or caddy she can reach without bending or stretching.
$
Mom's Bedroom
- Light within reach of bed: Put a lamp or touch-lamp on the nightstand that she can turn on before standing up.
$–$$ - Bed height: When she sits on the edge, her feet should rest flat on the floor with knees about level with her hips. Bed risers or a lower frame can adjust it.
Free–$$ - Clear path to the door: Move shoes, baskets, cords, and laundry out of the walkway.
Free - Phone by the bed: Keep a charged phone on the nightstand every night.
Free - Glasses within reach: Keep her glasses in the same spot on the nightstand so she can put them on before getting up.
Free - Floor-level night light: Add a motion night light between the bed and the door.
$ - Loose rugs or cords: Remove any rugs and tuck cords along the wall.
Free - Smoke alarm: Make sure there's a working smoke alarm in or just outside the bedroom.
$
Upstairs Hallway
- Dark hallway, switch at one end only: Plug in motion-sensor night lights along the hall now. Later, an electrician can add a second switch at the other end.
$now,$$$later - Clutter on the floor: Keep the hall completely clear: no baskets, shoes, or dog toys.
Free - Bright bulbs: Use bright LED bulbs in the hallway fixture, in a soft white that doesn't cause glare.
$ - Dog at night: Notice where the terrier sleeps. A dog bed in the bedroom corner, away from the path, helps keep the dog from darting in front of her.
$$
Stairs
- Rail on one side only: Install a second sturdy handrail on the right side so she can hold on with both hands, or use her stronger hand both g