Practical guide: how to adapt the home to prevent falls in older adults

Home should be the safest place for our elderly. Yet, it's where most falls occur: 66% of domestic accidents among seniors happen in the bathroom, according to data collected by Solidaridad Intergeneracional. The good news: almost all risks in a home can be reduced with simple changes, many without major renovations. This guide walks through the home room by room, starting with the most dangerous one.

Quick Summary: where the risk is and what to do first

Start with the bathroom: it's where most falls happen

Wet floor, getting in and out of the shower, getting up from the toilet. It's the perfect combination for a slip, which is why the bathroom accounts for a large portion of domestic falls.

• Install firm grab bars next to the toilet and inside or next to the shower. Securely anchored to the wall, never suction cup.
• Non-slip flooring: adhesive rubber mats or non-slip strips inside the shower and in front of the sink.
• A shower seat and a handheld showerhead allow showering while seated, without balancing.
• If there's a bathtub, consider replacing it with a low-profile shower tray or using a swivel bath chair. This is the change that reduces risk the most.
• A toilet at a good height (or a raised seat) avoids the effort of getting up from a very low position.
• If the screen is glass, check that it is safety or shatterproof glass (tempered or laminated). A fall against a normal glass screen can turn a stumble into something much more serious.

Stairs: handrails on both sides

• Handrails on both sides, not just one. Firm and graspable from top to bottom.
• Good lighting at the beginning and end, with a switch at both ends or sensors, so as not to climb in the dark.
• Mark the edge of each step with a contrasting colored strip; it helps estimate distance.
• No objects parked on the steps.

Lighting: the quickest and cheapest fix

Vision that is no longer what it used to be turns dimness into a stumble.

• Powerful LEDs in hallways and thoroughfares; no dark corners.
• Motion sensors, especially for the nighttime trip from bed to bathroom.
• Accessible switches right inside each room.

Floors and rugs: the invisible enemies

• Loose rugs are one of the leading causes of tripping. Remove them; if they stay, secure them with strong double-sided tape.
• Gather cables and attach them to the wall or baseboard.
• Immediately dry wet kitchen and bathroom floors.

The bedroom and the nighttime path

• A small lamp or switch within reach from the bed.
• The path from the bed to the bathroom, clear and lit.
• The bed at a height that allows sitting and getting up with feet firmly on the floor.

The kitchen and living room

• Daily use items, at hand height (between hip and shoulder), to avoid climbing on chairs or bending to the floor.
• Stable furniture to lean on; avoid wheeled furniture.
• Remove furniture with sharp corners from common pathways.

If you can only do 3 things this week

Beyond the house: what else prevents falls

Adapting the home is half the battle. The other half is the person:

• Regular vision check-ups: many falls start with not seeing a step well.
• Review medication with the doctor: some drugs (for sleep, for blood pressure) cause dizziness or instability.
• Balance and strength exercises: programs like Tai Chi or physical therapy have been shown to significantly reduce falls. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can assess both the home and the person.

The last layer: for the blow that can't be completely avoided

You can reduce almost all risks in a home, but never 100% — an occasional stumble can always happen, especially if there is already instability. It is precisely in those moments, which no renovation can fully cover, that the last layer of protection comes in:

A light, textile-designed head protector doesn't prevent the fall, but it cushions the blow to the most delicate area — and helps move around the house, even in the newly adapted bathroom, with more confidence. It's the only one of these measures that goes with the person everywhere, not just where you've already made changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to adapt the bathroom? It varies greatly: grab bars and non-slip mats are low cost; a low-profile shower tray is the most expensive renovation, but also the one that reduces risk the most. It can be done in phases.

Do I need a professional? For securely anchored grab bars, yes, an installer is advisable — a poorly installed one (or a suction cup one) can fail precisely when it's most needed. For everything else (lights, rugs, tidying), it's not necessary.

Where do I start if the budget is limited? With free things first: removing rugs, tidying cables, improving lighting. These are the changes with the greatest impact for the lowest cost.

Informational guide only; it does not replace the assessment of a healthcare professional. For repeated falls or any concerns, consult a doctor or physical therapist.