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What home changes should I make first for an aging parent?

Start with the changes that prevent falls: clear walkways and loose rugs, brighten the lighting on stairs, in hallways and in the bathroom, add grab bars and non-slip surfaces in the bathroom, and keep everyday items within easy reach. An occupational therapist or your parent’s doctor can assess the home. Then make sure your parent has a way to call for help.1

Updated October 2026.

The short version

  • Fix trip hazards first: loose rugs, cords, clutter, uneven thresholds.
  • Add light, especially on stairs, in hallways and at night.
  • Make the bathroom safer: grab bars, non-slip mat or strips, a seat if needed.
  • Keep everyday items within reach so no one climbs or stretches.
  • Plan for calling for help if something still happens.

Where falls commonly happen

Falls often happen on stairs, in bathrooms and bedrooms, and on cluttered or poorly lit floors. The CDC reports that about one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, so the home is the best place to start.

Do these first

  • Walkways: clear clutter and cords, remove or secure loose rugs, and fix uneven thresholds.
  • Lighting: brighter bulbs, light switches at both ends of halls and stairs, and night-lights from the bedroom to the bathroom.
  • Bathroom: grab bars anchored into the wall, a non-slip surface in the tub or shower, and a shower seat if standing is hard.
  • Stairs: sturdy handrails, and good light at the top and bottom.
  • Reach: move often-used items to waist or shoulder height, so no stepstool is needed.

Then these

  • Supportive, non-slip footwear instead of socks or loose slippers indoors.
  • A chair of the right height with firm arms, and a raised toilet seat if standing up is difficult.
  • A phone or call-for-help device within reach in the bedroom and bathroom.

Get a professional look

An occupational therapist, or your parent’s doctor, can assess the home and suggest changes that fit your parent’s abilities. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what services or programs exist nearby. Grab bars should be anchored properly, so ask a handyman or contractor to install them; suction-cup bars aren’t reliable for support.

Plan for the day it still happens

Home changes lower the chance of a fall but don’t remove it. With KinectedCare, your parent can press HELP on their phone or watch to alert the whole CareTeam at once, and when a fall-detection-capable watch detects a fall, KinectedCare notifies the CareTeam.1 See how to make an emergency plan.

Questions people ask

What is the single most important change?
There is no single answer, but removing trip hazards and improving lighting are low-cost changes with a big effect. A professional assessment can tailor the list to your parent.
Do grab bars need to be professionally installed?
They should be anchored securely into the wall structure or installed with fixtures made for the wall, so have a handyman or contractor do it. Suction-cup grab bars aren’t reliable for supporting weight.
Who pays for home changes?
Costs vary. Some local agencies and programs help with home modifications, so ask your Area Agency on Aging what is available where your parent lives.
How do I suggest changes without insulting my parent?
Frame them as keeping their independence, ask what they would like first, and start with one small change. Our guide on talking about accepting help has wording that works.
Does KinectedCare detect falls?
No. Fall detection is the watch’s own feature. When a fall-detection-capable smartwatch detects a fall, the watch’s operating system handles the emergency response, and KinectedCare notifies the CareTeam.
Does KinectedCare replace emergency services?
No. KinectedCare is not a medical device or an emergency service. If someone may be hurt, call local emergency services first.

Keep reading

Sources

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: older adult fall prevention. cdc.gov/falls
  • Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living): find local services for older adults. eldercare.acl.gov

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