Home Safety Tips for Seniors: How Your Environment Can Help You Stay Independent
At Felician Village, we understand that senior home safety is about more than removing a loose rug. It’s about ensuring your home supports you—your abilities, your daily activities, and your lifestyle—so you can age in place as safely and independently as possible.
Tiana Schisel, Director of Rehabilitation at Felician Village and Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency, explains that therapists often look at the connection between the person, the environment, and the “occupations” that fill each day. In this case, “occupation” means any activity you do—cooking, gardening, doing laundry, or even putting on socks.
Why Your Home Environment Matters for Senior Safety
A change in surroundings can make a big difference. Tiana shares a common example from short-term rehab:
A patient might say, “I could put my socks on at home, but I can’t do it here.” At home, they may have a favorite low chair or dresser to help, but in a rehab setting, that setup isn’t there. The person and the task are the same, but the environment changes—and so does the outcome.
Simple Home Modifications for Older Adults
As we age or face new health challenges, it’s important to review our living spaces and make adjustments to improve home safety for seniors. Sometimes the changes are simple:
- Switching to an auditory clock if vision changes makes reading a clock difficult.
- Rearranging furniture to make room for a walker or wheelchair.
Other times, bigger projects are needed:
- Moving laundry to the main floor to avoid stairs.
- Remodeling a bathroom for better accessibility and fall prevention.
How Occupational Therapy Can Improve Safety at Home
Therapists assess:
- You – your health, mobility, balance, strength, and goals.
- Your environment – layout, lighting, and accessibility.
- Your activities – the daily tasks you want and need to do.
Recommendations may include low-cost adaptive equipment, safety devices, or larger remodeling projects. These are always designed to keep you safe at home for as long as possible.
In-Home Support Services for Seniors
For those who need an extra hand, Felician at Home is a membership program supporting older adults living independently. Some of the benefits included are:
- Helping Hands Volunteer Assistance with tasks such as: Light housekeeping, errand running, grocery delivery, moving seasonal decorations or patio furniture, and more.
- Transportation
- Technology Tutoring
- Daily check-in calls for peace of mind
With the right home modifications and support, you can continue living safely and enjoying independence in the place you love.