Falls are one of the most common causes of injury among older Australians, and the statistics are significant.
Around 1 in 3 Australians aged 65 and over experience a fall each year.
While some falls result in minor injuries, others can lead to serious consequences including hospitalisation, loss of independence, and a knock to confidence that can change how someone moves through their home.
The good news is that many falls are preventable. With thoughtful modifications to the home environment and awareness of risk factors, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fall happening.
That’s why we’ve put together a practical, room-by-room checklist that you can walk through at your own pace. Whether you’re assessing your own home or helping a loved one stay safe, this checklist is designed to be straightforward and actionable.
Why Fall Prevention Matters
Falls can change lives in ways that go beyond the immediate physical injury. A fall can lead to a hospital stay, followed by rehabilitation, and sometimes a shift in independence. What used to feel manageable at home may suddenly feel risky. This loss of confidence can lead to reduced activity, which paradoxically increases the risk of future falls.
For families, there’s an emotional toll as well. Worry about a parent or older relative staying safe at home can be constant. And there’s a financial cost too. Hospital admissions, ongoing physiotherapy, home modifications, and equipment all add up.
The encouraging part is that falls are often preventable.
Environmental hazards like poor lighting, loose rugs, or missing handrails can be fixed. Changes in mobility or balance can be addressed with strategies and support.
Falls aren’t an inevitable part of ageing. Taking action now can make a real difference.
How to Use This Checklist
This checklist is organised room by room, covering the spaces where falls most commonly occur. You can walk through your home (or a loved one’s home) with this checklist in hand and tick off each item as you go. It’s a low-pressure way to identify what’s already in place and where there might be gaps.
Areas that aren’t ticked
If you find areas that aren’t ticked, that’s not a criticism. It simply means those areas could benefit from some attention. Sometimes small changes make a big difference.
Other times, it’s worth speaking to an occupational therapist about a professional home safety assessment to get tailored advice for your specific situation.
Home Safety Checklist
General / Throughout the Home
- Adequate lighting in all rooms and hallways
- Light switches accessible near doorways
- Non-slip flooring and rugs removed or at the least secured with non-slip backing and tape for curling edges
- Clear, clutter-free walkways
- Cords and cables tucked away from walking paths
- Handrails on both sides of staircases
Bathroom
- Non-slip treatment to slippery bathroom tiles
- Grab rails near the toilet and shower
- Shower chair or stool if needed
- Good lighting
- Toiletries within easy reach (not requiring bending or reaching overhead)
Bedroom
- Bedside lamp within easy reach
- Clear path from bed to bathroom (especially for night-time)
- Bed at a comfortable height for getting in and out
- Phone or alert device within reach from the bed
- Kitchen
- Frequently used items stored at bench or waist height
- Step stools avoided
- Good lighting over preparation areas
Outdoor Areas
- Even, well-maintained pathways
- Adequate outdoor lighting (especially at entry points)
- Handrails on steps and ramps
- Garden hoses and tools stored away from walkways
How Occupational Therapists Can Support
A professional home safety assessment takes this checklist to the next level. An occupational therapist can identify hazards you might not have noticed, recommend specific modifications tailored to your home and mobility, and suggest equipment or strategies that would work best for your situation.
It’s worth considering a professional assessment in several situations: after a fall has occurred, following a hospital stay or change in health, when you’ve noticed changes in mobility or balance, or even proactively as part of ageing well at home. An OT assessment isn’t just about identifying problems; it’s about solutions. We work with you to understand your home, your routines, and what matters to you, then recommend changes that genuinely fit your life.
At Optimal Living Therapy, our occupational therapists bring practical experience and a genuine understanding of what it takes to feel safe and independent at home.
We can assist with identifying hazards, recommending home modifications, prescribing equipment, and teaching fall prevention strategies that work in your specific environment.
Learn more about our home safety assessments and modifications services.
Ready to Make Your Home Safer?
If this checklist has raised some questions or you’d like tailored advice for your home, we’re here to help. A conversation with one of our occupational therapists can be the starting point for real change. Whether it’s a quick question about a specific area or a full home safety assessment, we work at a pace that suits you.
Get in touch with Optimal Living Therapy to discuss aged care occupational therapy services and home safety assessments.
