Small Changes, Big Difference in Home Safety

Home safety is typically the last thing on people’s minds until something goes drastically wrong. Most Arizonans want to think about golf or their next vacation instead of falling in their bathroom while getting their kids off to school in the morning. But these things happen. People come home from hip replacement surgery and realize they can’t get from the front door to their bedroom. Others notice that their parents have been quietly avoiding the stairs, too scared of falling to say anything. It’s an uncomfortable topic, but a little preparation goes a long way.

Does your house need a rebuild to make it recovery or independence ready? No, it doesn’t. Yes, there will be some changes that you may need to consider, but most of these changes are small, reasonable and will cost very little.

The High-Risk Zones in Most Homes

Where Homes Get Injuries & Long, Hard Recoveries Happen!

Bathrooms are often the most difficult spaces for people with disabilities to access. Because most modern bathrooms feature hard, slippery surfaces that were designed to be used in a completely different way than someone in a wheelchair would use them. But, a few simple upgrades can make a huge difference for anyone. [Grab bars, a shower bench, and a handheld showerhead are some of the most basic and important elements for creating a more accessible bathroom. Please note that these are not considered medical retrofits, these are sensible upgrades for any homeowner.

Tread and Risers: The lighting on and around treads and risers can lead to falls. This risk exists if the lighting is not sufficient, or if there is an inconsistency between tread and riser heights, or if handrails are loose or installed on only one side of the stairs. Installing a second handrail or improving the lighting can help to reduce this risk.

Bedrooms are frequently overlooked when developing solutions for fall prevention. Focusing on the bed height and proximity to the bathroom for individuals recovering from surgery or with balance dysfunction are frequently addressed; however, the access to and from the bed can also present fall hazards. The entry and exit from a bed that is too low for a person who is recovering from surgery or has problems with balance requires excessive exertion and may result in falls.

Falls can happen to older adults at any time and most falls occur in the person’s home. Falls aren’t just a concern for older adults – they can happen to anyone. Even healthy, active people recovering from knee or back surgery or a serious illness can suddenly find their own home surprisingly difficult to navigate.

And as circumstances change, whether that’s an elderly parent moving in, a long recovery ahead, or a slowly progressing physical condition – what once felt like a comfortable home can quietly become an obstacle course. This is exactly the kind of challenge that companies like Good Life Medical Equipment help homeowners get ahead of, by proactively assessing properties for accessibility and safety needs .

Simple Additions That Make a Real Difference

Many small changes can make a big difference to daily life for older or disabled people, such as shower chairs, raised toilet seats, non-slip mats and bedside grab handles, many of which are available off the shelf without needing any building work. For some, the transition home from the hospital calls for a little more support – a walker or rollator can make all the difference when it comes to moving around safely and rebuilding confidence on your feet.

Many of the items needed to meet the requirements of this list can be obtained more easily and more efficiently than realized. Instead of searching out numerous items on this list based on a general checklist, contact a home medical equipment provider and have someone assist you in determining the items you need.

Planning Ahead Beats Reacting After

It is generally preferred that these decisions be made on the weekend rather than under a tight deadline due to a hospital discharge.

Consider doing a home walk-through with the eyes of an older owner and think about what would be difficult if your mobility changed tomorrow? The AARP HomeFit Guide helps you think about and organize potential home modifications by room and cost.

A home that works for recovery or aging in place isn’t about designing around limitations, it’s about making sure your space supports real, everyday life. That means thinking ahead about the things most people don’t consider until they’re already dealing with them: getting around after an injury, or helping an aging parent feel safe and independent under your roof.

Last Updated: April 2026