Occupational Therapist’s Suggestions for Aging In Place
An unfortunate occurrence that brings many people to seek my occupational therapy care is an accidental fall in or around the home. Over the years, I have helped people recover their function after falling on an outstretched hand or tripping and sustaining various broken bones. No one wants to experience a household accident, so a good way to prevent this is to explore attributes of the home environment and determine whether changes can be made.
A colleague developed the following home safety checklist with the intention for use in taking inventory of items and features in the home. After someone completed the checklist, it is brought to an OT session to explore options for change. During our sessions, we discuss optimal environmental design, problem-solve and determine strategies to adapt the home.
Please use this checklist to examine your home and promote successful aging in place.
Instructions: Print the checklist. Walk to all areas listed in and around the home, indicating with a check mark the answer YES, NO or non-applicable (na) to the item listed. Use the back of the form to write comments or questions. Your home evaluation and comments/questions are a starting point for a conversation with your occupational therapist.
| All Areas in the Home | Y | N | na |
| Are lamp cords, computer cables and electronic charging cords secured and out of the traffic pattern? | |||
| Are small rugs and runners slip-resistant? | |||
| Do you have decorative rugs at the top or bottom of the stairways? | |||
| Are carpet edges in good condition and tacked down? | |||
| Are the floors even without abrupt elevation changes? | |||
| Are the rooms and hallways uncluttered and free of obstacles? | |||
| Do you use non-skid wax if you wax the floors? | |||
| Do you have a light switch near every doorway? | |||
| Do you have motion-detected night lighting? | |||
| Outdoors and Entryway | Y | N | na |
| Is the home address easy to view from the street? | |||
| Is lighting adequate at the doors to the house/building? | |||
| Is there a video doorbell? | |||
| Is there a table or bench to place items when managing the entry? | |||
| Is there a door lock separate from that on the entry handle? | |||
| Are the doors easy to operate with lever-style handles? | |||
| Are the walkways free from cracks? | |||
| Is the entryway protected from weather by an overhang? | |||
| Does the entry have a non-skid mat or safety treads in good condition? | |||
| If there are outdoor stairs, do they have a railing? | |||
| If there is an elevator, does it stop level with each floor? | |||
| Foyer (or main place of entry) | Y | N | na |
| Is there a place to sit to remove footwear? | |||
| Is there a place to store footwear and outerware? | |||
| Is there a receptacle to place junk mail? | |||
| Stairways | |||
| Are stairways well lit? | |||
| Are there light switches at the top and bottom of the stairways? | |||
| Is the carpet tacked down on the stairs? | |||
| Do handrails extend the full length of the staircase? | |||
| Are there handrails on both sides? | |||
| Are the stairs free of ALL clutter? | |||
| Are the edges of each step easily seen? | |||
| Chairs/Tables | |||
| Are chairs and tables sturdy without wheels? | |||
| Do the most frequently used chairs have arm rests and high backs? | |||
| Does the height of the most frequently used chairs allow ease of standing? | |||
| Kitchen | Y | N | na |
| Does the kitchen have area rugs? | |||
| Are the “on and off” positions clearly marked on the range top controls? | |||
| Can the controls be locked? | |||
| Are frequently used items within easy reach? | |||
| Are only light weight items stored on the upper shelves? | |||
| Do you have a step stool with a handrail? | |||
| Is the microwave door easy to reach? | |||
| Bedroom | Y | N | na |
| Are lamps within reach of the bed when lying down? | |||
| Is there a night light in the room? | |||
| Can you move easily around the furniture? | |||
| Is tall furniture secured to the wall? | |||
| Is the pathway from bedroom to bathroom well lit and free of obstacles? | |||
| Is there something sturdy next to the bed to hold as you climb in and out? | |||
| Do the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work when tested? | |||
| Is there a flashlight available in the event of a power outage? | |||
| Bathroom | Y | N | na |
| Does the bathroom have a night light? | |||
| Are there grab bars in the tub or shower? | |||
| Does the floor of the tub/shower have a rubber mat or non-skid strips? | |||
| Is there a seat for the tub that is easy to get on and off? | |||
| Is the soap located in a place that is easy to reach when bathing? | |||
| Is there a grab bar near the toilet? | |||
| Is the toilet seat high enough to get on/off easily? | |||
| Does the floor have a non-skid surface or non-slip rug? | |||
| Does the lighting allow you to read labels easily? |
Click the link below to set up an appointment for an OT evaluation and discuss the findings from your checklist.
Checklist adapted from:
NorthShore Rehab Occupational Therapy Home Safety Checklist, authors, Beth Sullivan OTR/L and Violet Potocki, OTR/L
Additional input from: American Association of Retired Persons, Home Fit Guide
AARP.org/HomeFit Accessed online 4/15/2025
Flourish Recovery & Wellness 