When deciding whether to age in place in your home or move to a senior living community, it’s important to assess the safety of your home. Does your home have multiple levels? Are you responsible for all home maintenance and repairs? Do you have a plan in place in case of a medical or weather-related emergency?
Keep reading for tips on how to do a thorough evaluation of your home’s safety as you age.
Helpful tips to assess your current living situation for aging in place
First, ask yourself the following questions for a closer look at your current living situation:
- Accessibility – Is your home meeting your physical needs?
- Transportation – Can you run errands, get groceries, and go to the doctor easily?
- Socialization – Do you have enough opportunities to stay connected with friends and loved ones and remain socially active?
- Care needs – Can you manage your personal needs and medications?
- Service needs – Do you need assistance with meal preparation or housekeeping?
- Costs – Have you considered the costs of in-home care, housekeeping, and maintenance services?
Download our free guide: “Staying Home vs. Senior Living – Should you stay or should you go?”
Installing safety features like wheelchair ramps and handrails can be expensive. Next, use the following home safety checklist to determine what areas in your home may need modification.
Home safety checklist
| Yes | No | Stairs |
| Are papers, shoes, books, or other objects on the stairs? | ||
| Are some steps broken, uneven, or is the carpet loose? | ||
| Do you have adequate lighting over the stairway? | ||
| Are there light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs? | ||
| Is there a sturdy handrail on both sides of the stairs? | ||
| Yes | No | Kitchen |
| Are the things you use often on high shelves? | ||
| Do you have a sturdy stepstool with a bar to hold onto or a reach stick for high items? | ||
| Do you have a fire extinguisher for the kitchen? | ||
| Yes | No | Bedrooms |
| Do you have a light close to the bed? | ||
| Is the path from your bed to the bathroom dark? | ||
| Do you have a telephone next to your bed? | ||
| Yes | No | Bathrooms |
| Do you have a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower? | ||
| Do you have grab bars to assist you in getting in and out of the tub or up from the toilet? | ||
| Yes | No | Living Areas |
| Are electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths? | ||
| Are areas where you walk free of clutter? | ||
| Are carpets and large area rugs secured firmly to the floor? | ||
| Have you removed all throw rugs? | ||
| Is your furniture arranged so it’s not in your way when you walk? | ||
| Are sofas and chairs the right height to easily get in and out of them? |
Take the next steps
After reviewing your home safety, you may want to talk to friends and loved ones you trust about your decision. You’ll likely gain valuable insights to help you weigh your options. Remember that everyone is different, and each situation is unique, so it’s best to do what’s right for you.
Are you ready to explore senior living further?
Download our free guide: “Staying Home vs. Senior Living – Should you stay or should you go?” to help you decide between aging in place at home or moving to senior living. You’ll get the facts about the senior living care options and discover what to expect. Additionally, the guide provides tips on assessing your home’s safety and weighing senior living cost versus value.
