Take it Room by Room

For more specific listings about each room, consider these recommended modifications for home safety.

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Kitchen

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• Cabinets: Are cabinets easily accessible / are all needed items within reach to avoid climbing or bending? Are all shelves safe and sturdy? Do shelves need to be organized or labeled? Are items being kept in a clearly marked and consistent manner?

• Appliances: Do appliances automatically turn off after a certain length of time? Are they all easily accessible? Have you considered having an automatic jar opener? What about the ice machine - is ice and water easily accessible?

• Prep Stations: Have you considered designated prep stations with key tools you need in each of those areas?

• Dishes: Have you considered replacing any ceramic or glass dishes used daily with melamine - more durable but doesn't break when dropped?

• Trash Can: Is the trash can easily accessible and smaller or have wheels to make it easier to remove trash?

• Counters: Are items free from clutter? Do you have non-slip rubber matting to help stabilize cutting boards, mixing bowls, or dinnerware?

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Living Rooms and Other Areas

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• Chairs: Are chairs in the house stable (not on wheels,) have armrests, and at an adequate seat height to make standing up and sitting down easier?

• Room Color: Are rooms lighter in color to give the illusion of more space?

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Bathrooms

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• Tub/Shower: Is the tub or shower easy to access? Is there a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower? Do you need support when you get in and out of the tub? Do you need to install grab bars inside the tub? Does the shower or tub have a bench or seat? Does the tub or shower have a spray nozzle?

• Toilet: Do you need support when getting up or down from the toilet? Is the toilet at a comfortable height to make it easier to get up and down?

• Faucets: Are faucets in proper order and nozzles working correctly? Do faucets turn on and off with one touch? Are temperature settings consistent - not too hot?

• Emergency: Is there an emergency call button or life alert button available in case there is a fall that is waterproof?

• Trash Can: Is the trash can easily accessible and smaller or have wheels to make it easier to remove trash?

• Counters and Cabinets: Are items free from clutter?

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Bedroom

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• Furniture: When you walk through a room, do you have to walk around furniture? Is furniture set in a way for open accessibility? Can a wheelchair get through if needed? Are there any items that could be tripping hazards?

• Bed: Is the bed at a proper height, with a sturdy bedside table or rope above if needed for assistance getting up or down? Should there be a bedside commode next to the bed to prevent longer walks to the bathroom in the evening? Is the bed elevated to help with getting in and out of the bed? Are bed rails needed to secure staying in bed? Is there a motion sensor in the bedroom to alert your partner if one is up in the middle of the night?

• Pillows: Are there too many pillows, making it difficult to navigate the walk in the evenings?

• Flashlight: Do you have a flashlight on the nightstand or within easy reach in case the power goes out?

• Phone: Do you have a telephone within easy reach of the bed if needed?

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Hallways and Stair Wells

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• Floors: Are the steps carpeted or hard wood? If carpet, is there any loose or worn carpet? Are there non-slip rubber threads attached to the stairs?

• Stairs: Are stairs free of all objects? Are there any stairs that are uneven or loose? Are the handrails loose or broken, are they on both sides of the stairs? Is it easy to see the transition of when steps need to be made? Is a lift chair needed to access rooms, or can one stay on the main floor if needed?

• Stairlifts: A stairlift has a seat or platform that attaches to the banister or wall of the staircase, with a lifting mechanism that carries a seated person up the stairs. Many have joysticks that allow an individual to control the speed at which they ascend. 

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Disclaimer:  The Parkinson Association of Alabama stresses the importance of home safety by offering the following awareness and education. However, the PAA cannot be held liable for any falls within the home, or guarantee the endorsement of product brands or services as related to home safety.