A Room-by-Room Home Safety Checklist for Richmond Seniors

Most home hazards for seniors come down to four things: poor lighting, loose flooring, nothing to hold on to, and items stored out of reach. This checklist covers each room so you can fix them in one visit.

Comfort Keepers of Richmond, Virginia pairs in-home care with safety technology such as fall-risk and medical alert systems. Start with the house itself.

Entry and Stairs

Sturdy handrails on both sides of every staircase
Bright lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs, with a switch at each end
Non-slip treads on outdoor steps
A clear, well-lit path from the driveway to the door
A bench or chair near the door for putting on shoes

Living Room

Loose rugs removed or secured with non-slip backing
Cords run along the walls, out of walkways
Furniture arranged to leave wide, clear paths
A firm chair with arms that is easy to get out of
A phone and lamp within reach of the favorite seat

Kitchen

Everyday dishes and food stored between waist and shoulder height
No step stools needed for anything used weekly
A stove with automatic shut-off, or a shut-off device added
A working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher within reach
Spills wiped up right away, with a non-slip mat at the sink

Bathroom

Grab bars by the toilet and inside the shower or tub
A non-slip mat or strips on the shower floor
A shower chair and a handheld shower head
A raised toilet seat if standing up is difficult
A night light on the route from the bedroom

Bedroom

A lamp or light switch reachable from the bed
A bed at a height that makes getting in and out easy
A clear path to the bathroom
A phone and a flashlight on the nightstand

Whole House

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors tested, with fresh batteries
Emergency numbers posted by the phone and on the fridge
Medications organized, labeled, and checked for expiration
Sturdy, closed-back shoes or slippers with non-slip soles

When a Checklist Is Not Enough

A safer house helps, but it does not replace a person. If your parent has already fallen, is unsteady, or lives alone, consider two additions: a medical alert system and regular visits from a caregiver who can help with the riskiest tasks.

Comfort Keepers of Richmond offers in-home care and senior technology, including home monitoring, fall-risk assessments, and medical alert systems. The office serves Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield, and Powhatan counties. Call (804) 750-1123.

Explore senior home care in Richmond, VA from Comfort Keepers here: comfortkeepers.com/offices/virginia/richmond/