Keeping Independence With Small Aids: A Room-by-Room List

How to use this list

1. Walk through the home with your parent, asking at each place: what is hard, awkward or frightening here? 2. Choose the three most important changes to start. 3. Try one thing at a time. 4. Ask an occupational therapist if you are unsure; see occupational therapy home assessment. 5. Review in a few weeks.

Everything on the list is optional. Do not over-equip: a home that looks like a hospital is not a home.

Entrance and hallway

• Step or threshold: a handrail, an anti-slip strip or a small ramp; see portable ramps for thresholds.
• Good lighting, with a motion-sensor light at the door.
• A bench or stool for sitting to put on shoes, and a long shoehorn.
• Key safe for emergency entry; see key safes.
• Large-print house number and a clear doorbell.
• A door chain or viewer for security; see lock and door safety for seniors.
• Clear floor, no loose rugs or shoes in the way.
• A hook for the stick or bag at the right height.
• A mat that does not curl.

Living room

• A firm, supportive chair with arms at the right height; see choosing a chair for an older person.
• A cushion or lumbar roll, if needed; see seat cushions for older adults.
• A side table within reach for glasses, phone, water and medicines.
• A reacher by the chair; see reachers and grabbers.
• A large-button remote, and TV headphones if hearing is poor; see TV headphones.
• A clock with day and date in view; see talking clocks.
• A good reading lamp; see lighting for older eyes.
• A phone within reach, with big buttons, or a mobile with a stand.
• Cables tidied, and furniture arranged for clear paths.
• A throw or shawl for warmth.

Kitchen

• A non-slip mat by the sink and stove.
• An auto-off kettle; see auto-off kettle and stove safety.
• A jar and bottle opener, a tap turner and easy-grip utensils; see jar openers and kitchen aids.
• A stool with a back to sit on while preparing food.
• Heavy items at waist height; a reacher for light items higher.
• A trolley to carry hot items.
• Large-print labels on jars and tins.
• Good lighting over the worktop.
• A fire blanket and a smoke alarm; see smoke and gas safety for older adults.
• A timer for the stove.

Dining area

• A sturdy chair with arms.
• A non-slip mat, plate guard and easy-grip cutlery if needed; see easy-grip cutlery.
• A two-handled mug or cup with a lid.
• A pill organiser on the table; see pill organisers.
• A well-lit table.

Bedroom

• A bed at the right height, where feet are flat when sitting on the edge; see bed height and getting out of bed safely.
• A night light between bed and bathroom; see motion-sensor night lights.
• A bedside lamp easy to switch on, or a touch lamp.
• A bedside table with water, glasses, phone, tissues, medicines and a torch.
• A chair for dressing, with arms.
• A dressing aid kit: sock aid, long shoehorn, button hook; see dressing aids.
• A bedside alert button or pendant; see panic pendants.
• A bed rail only if assessed; see bed rails guide.
• A clear path to the bathroom.
• A bedside commode or urinal, if night trips are risky; see night-time toilet trips and falls.
• A wardrobe with items at accessible heights.

Bathroom and toilet

• Grab bars by the toilet, shower and bath, fixed into the wall; see grab bars.
• A raised toilet seat or frame; see raised toilet seats.
• A shower chair or bench and a handheld shower; see shower chairs and stools.
• A non-slip mat inside and outside the shower, and anti-slip strips.
• A long-handled sponge, a wash mitt and pump dispensers.
• A night light.
• A bell or pendant within reach.
• A thermostatic mixer or a check of water temperature to prevent scalds; see hot water and scald safety for older skin.
• A towel rail that is not used for support.
• An easy-to-open lock that can be released from outside.

See bathroom safety checklist for seniors.

Stairs and balcony

• Handrails on both sides, well fixed and the full length.
• Contrasting strips on the edges of steps.
• Good lighting, with switches at top and bottom.
• No clutter or loose carpet.
• A second set of aids at each level.
• Balcony and terrace: a stable chair, non-slip flooring and secure railings; see garden, balcony and terrace safety.

Whole-home safety and comfort

• An alert device worn at all times; see fall detection watches.
• A list of emergency numbers by the phone: 112, family, doctor, neighbour.
• Working smoke and gas alarms.
• A first aid kit.
• A medical summary near the front door; see emergency contact card and medical summary.
• Comfortable temperature, with fans, heaters and ventilation used safely; see safe use of heaters and geysers.
• Regular checks of batteries, bulbs and locks; see monthly home safety check.

Introducing aids with respect

• Ask first, and explain why.
• Fit them yourselves with permission, with tact.
• Choose attractive options.
• Introduce one at a time.
• Respect refusals and try again later.
• Do not take over; let your parent keep as much control as possible.
• Review and adjust.

For more, see daily living aids that keep older adults independent and ageing in place, room by room.

A sample first month

A staged plan keeps the work manageable and the household calm. In the first week, concentrate on the biggest dangers: remove loose rugs, add night lights between the bedroom and bathroom, fit a non-slip mat in the bathroom and place a phone and a list of emergency numbers by the chair. In the second week, deal with the bathroom and toilet properly: have grab bars fitted by a professional, add a shower chair and consider a raised toilet seat. In the third week, look at the kitchen and daily tasks: a jar opener, an auto-off kettle, a stool with a back and a reacher in each main room. In the fourth week, review everything with your parent. Which aids are being used? Which are ignored? What new difficulty has appeared? Remove what is not working, and add one or two things at most. Take a few photographs of the changes, so that the doctor or therapist can see the home without visiting. Repeat the review every three months and after any fall, illness or hospital stay. Over a year this steady approach usually produces a home that fits your parent well, at modest cost, without the feeling of an upheaval.

Keep a simple list of what was bought, where it is fitted, when it was installed and who to call if it needs repair or adjustment, with receipts and warranties in one folder.

When to ask a professional

An occupational therapist can assess the whole home and recommend a prioritised list. A physiotherapist can advise on mobility and falls. Our care advisors can arrange a home safety check, supply and fit equipment, and suggest where to start.