As we age, it becomes increasingly important that our homes remain safe and accessible spaces that we’re comfortable living in.

So whether you’re planning for your own future or preparing to move in a loved one, make these few thoughtful adjustments to greatly enhance the overall comfort and security of your home, ensuring that it meets older adults’ evolving needs.

Minimize fall risks

Falls are a leading cause of injuries for those sixty-five and older, making it imperative that you assess your home for any related hazards. For instance, you could widen doorways and hallways to better accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. And for the bathroom, you could add grab bars in showers and near toilets, a shower chair, a handheld showerhead, and raised toilet seats. When making changes in your home, here are three key areas to focus on as you look to enhance its overall safety.

Flooring
To start, secure any loose rugs, carpets, and wires with nonslip mats or tape so they don’t catch anyone by the foot. Just as important is addressing uneven floors, such as a step up into a room, by adding ramps where needed. For changes in floor surface, like tile to wood, you may need to adjust the threshold. If this adaptation isn’t possible, mark the areas with orange tape to create a clear distinction.

Stairs
Speaking of ramps, make sure to install them in your home’s entryways as applicable; this is necessary for any mobility challenges as well as walkers or wheelchairs. Also make sure to install and check your rails in any staircases, possibly adding chairlifts if you have a multi-level home.

Lighting
Proper lighting can dramatically enhance your home’s safety and convenience, making it easier for older adults to see where they’re going. Make sure to install bright lights in hallways, bathrooms, and staircases, and consider adding motion-sensor lights for entryways. Nightlights in bedrooms and bathrooms are also a must since they can help seniors navigate in the dark.

Enhance the kitchen

An accessible kitchen design promotes greater usability and safety of the space. And it can be easily achieved with a few quick adjustments. For instance, store frequently used items within arm’s reach so older adults don’t have to bend or stretch to reach items they may need each day.

If you or your loved one have memory problems, it may also be worth installing new appliances with automatic shutoff features to ensure that they can’t accidentally be left on. For similar reasons, consider sticking a list of emergency contacts on the fridge in case of future accidents. As a final step, verify that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition, and always keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location.

Creating a safe home for senior living doesn’t have to require extensive remodeling. Instead, simple yet thoughtful changes can significantly enhance overall comfort and security, helping older adults live independently or allowing loved ones to confidently share their homes.