Remaining independent at home is a priority for seniors.¹ A national survey found that more than 66% of Americans prefer staying independent as opposed to living longer. The number increased to 78% for adults 65+.¹

To reach this goal, it’s important to prepare your house to help you age in place. This great goal is attainable for many seniors. These 5 home safety tips will help you prepare your home to live independently.

How can I reduce fall hazards at home?

Avoiding falls is important for seniors’ independence. Every year, emergency rooms see more than three million visits due to older adults falling. Because of those incidents, there are approximately one million fall-related hospitalizations each year. Once you fall, your chance of falling again doubles.² So staying on your feet is important to maintaining independence.

Do a home safety check to remove any fall risks. Fall risks include:

• Clutter that blocks walkways
• Rugs or loose carpet
• Cords that go through walking paths
• Slippery surfaces, like showers without non-slip rubber

Make home safety updates to help you age in place.

It’s possible to stay in the home you know and love. Once you do a home safety check, you may realize you need to update your house. Making changes, both small and large, can help you stay independent longer. Here are some changes you may want to make:

• Add grab bars to the bathroom, both inside the tub and next to the toilet.
•  Make sure your home has enough lighting so you don’t trip on an unseen hazard.
• Purchase an automatic shutoff device for your stove.
• If needed, build a wheelchair ramp to access your home.
• Set your hot-water heater so it won’t get above 120 degrees to prevent burns.³

Home repairs help seniors stay safe.

Houses need constant work, and you should maintain your residence to make it safer as you age. Don’t try to DIY everything, hire professionals to make sure you get the job done correctly. Here are some common repairs that will help you stay safe at home:

• Repair any loose floorboards or uneven steps.
• Update your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors. Consider a wired version so you do not need to replace batteries.
• Replace any broken light fixtures or burned-out bulbs. Think about switching to LED lights, which require less frequent replacement.
• Fix any loose handrails. If you don’t have handrails, install them.
• Check window and door locks, updating any broken or sticky locks. Possibly add a security system for peace of mind.

Rearrange belongings for easy access.

As life changes, it’s important to make updates to your home setup. You might have your kitchen organized a certain way. But as your needs change, you should rearrange your home to provide quick access to your most-used tools. Here are several changes you can make:

• Move your favorite pots and pans to easy-access shelving, preferably lower shelves.
• If possible, don’t use the top shelves of your cabinets or store rarely used items in high places.
• If you need to use higher shelves, consider a step stool with a handle. or ask a family member to help.
• Declutter your house to prevent falls. There are probably countless things you don’t use (Ex. that chocolate fountain from 1995? Throw it out).

As a senior, how should I plan for an emergency?

Even if you have a safe home, life happens. Compiling a list of contacts, creating a kit, and building a plan will help you in the event of an emergency. Here are some things to consider for emergency planning:

• Keep important papers in one central location. This includes your insurance information, bank details, identification documents, etc.
• Build a list of important phone numbers including your family, friends, doctor, veterinarian, etc.
•  Have an emergency kit on hand. This disaster checklist has a list of items that you might include.
• Keep your phone nearby. This is useful for everything from falls to locking yourself out of the house.

Independence on your terms.

Striving to stay independent is a great goal for older adults. Preparing your home is an important step to staying safe as you age in place. Life should be enjoyed, including where you live. As time passes your needs may change and your home may require additional updates. Safety checks aren’t one-and-done but should be completed annually or if there are any major life changes.

Making updates, staying on top of repairs, and planning for emergencies are several ways you can create a safer home for your golden years.

Sources:

• “For Americans, Every Day Is Independence Day When It Comes to Their Health.” Humana News, 2025, https://news.humana.com/press-room/press-releases/2025/for-americans--every-day-is-independence-day-when-it-comes-to.
• “Facts About Falls: Data & Research.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Feb. 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html.
• “Household Safety Checklist for Senior Citizens.” Mayo Clinic Health System, https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/household-safety-checklist-for-senior-citizens.