One in three Australians over 65 falls each year. Two in three of those falls happen in or around the home. The good news: the vast majority are preventable with a handful of low-cost, low-disruption changes.
Start with a five-minute walkthrough
Walk through every room your loved one uses regularly and look for:
- Loose rugs or rug edges that lift
- Cords running across walking paths
- Furniture in walkways (a chair pushed back from the table, for example)
- Poor lighting, particularly between bedroom and bathroom
- Items they reach for daily that are too high or too low
Bathroom — the highest-risk room
Grab rails
Install one beside the toilet and two in the shower/bath (one vertical at the entry, one horizontal inside). These should be properly anchored — not the suction-cup style. Cost: $80–$200 installed per rail.
Non-slip mats
Inside the shower and on the bathmat outside. Replace any mat older than two years.
Shower seat
A simple plastic shower stool removes the standing-balance challenge entirely. Around $40.
Bedroom
Lighting
A motion-activated nightlight between bed and bathroom is the single most effective bedroom change you can make. Around $15 each.
Bed height
The mattress should sit at a height where your loved one can place their feet flat on the floor while seated. Bed risers or a mattress change can fix this.
Pathway
Keep at least a 90 cm clear path from bed to door. Move chairs, suitcases and laundry baskets.
Living areas
- Tape down all rug edges, or remove rugs entirely
- Reroute cords behind furniture or use cord covers
- Make sure the most-used chair is the right height — knees and hips at 90 degrees, feet flat
Stairs
Handrails on both sides where space allows. Contrasting-colour tape on the top and bottom step. Keep stairs completely clear — never store anything on them, even temporarily.
Funding for home modifications
Both NDIS and aged-care home-care packages typically cover home modifications when recommended by an Occupational Therapist. Major modifications (ramps, bathroom rebuilds) require a quote and approval; minor modifications (grab rails, lever taps, lighting) are usually approved quickly.
How GNA Services can help
We offer free in-home safety assessments for any current or prospective client. Our OTs document the recommendations, supply quotes, and coordinate the trades — all you have to do is approve the plan. Call 1300 133 633 to book.
