Helping an Older Parent Feel Safe at Home: 5 Practical Steps

1. Keep walkways clear

Take a look at the routes your parent uses most often, particularly hallways and frequently used rooms. Removing unnecessary obstacles and securing loose floor coverings can help create clearer paths.

If your parent has mobility or balance difficulties, a qualified professional can help identify appropriate home adaptations.

2. Improve lighting

Hallways, staircases, entrances, and routes to the bathroom can be harder to navigate when lighting is poor.

Check whether these areas are well lit, particularly at night. Accessible light switches and suitable night lights can make moving around more comfortable.

3. Keep everyday essentials within reach

Frequently used items shouldn’t require uncomfortable bending, stretching, or climbing. Reorganising kitchen cupboards, moving everyday objects to accessible shelves, and keeping essentials in consistent places can make daily routines easier.

Small changes like these can support independence without requiring a major redesign.

4. Make a plan for getting help

Talk with your parent about what they would do if they needed assistance unexpectedly. Agree on who they could call, which trusted people live nearby, and how they would contact someone if their phone wasn’t accessible.

Depending on their circumstances, an appropriate personal safety device may offer another way to request help.

5. Consider additional safety features

For families who want extra reassurance, technology can complement practical changes at home. Bion includes fall detection and an SOS button, alongside health monitoring and GPS location features. Through the connected family app, authorised family members can receive relevant alerts and access available information.

These features can be useful, but no device can guarantee that every fall or emergency will be detected. They should complement, not replace, appropriate care and emergency services.