Home Safety Checklist for Adults With Disability: A Room-by-Room OT Guide

Entrances and outside

• Is there a clear, level path from the car to the front door?
• Are there handrails on both sides of any steps?
• Is the entry well lit, including at night?
• Can you reach the door handle and lock easily while holding bags or using a walking aid?
• Are step edges easy to see, such as with a contrasting strip?

Bathroom

• Can you get in and out of the shower or bath safely, without climbing over a high edge?
• Are there grab rails in the shower and next to the toilet (not towel rails, which are not designed to take weight)?
• Is the floor non-slip when wet?
• Would a shower chair, handheld shower or over-toilet frame help?
• Can the door be opened from the outside in an emergency?

Kitchen

• Are everyday items stored between waist and shoulder height?
• Can you carry hot food and drinks safely or would a trolley help?
• Is there somewhere to sit while preparing food?
• Do you remember to turn off the stove or would an automatic shut-off help?

Bedroom

• Is the bed at a height that makes getting in and out easy?
• Is there a lamp or light switch you can reach from bed?
• Is there a clear, lit path to the toilet at night, such as with sensor lights?
• Can you dress while seated if you need to?

Living areas and hallways

• Are floors free of loose rugs, cords and clutter?
• Is there enough space to move with a walking frame or wheelchair?
• Are chairs a comfortable height with armrests to push up from?
• Are phones or emergency alarms within reach?

Laundry and stairs

• Do you carry washing up or down steps? Could a smaller basket or trolley help?
• Is the clothesline or dryer easy to reach?
• Are internal stairs well lit, with handrails on both sides?

What an OT home assessment adds

A checklist helps you spot hazards, but an occupational therapist watches how you do real tasks, such as getting in and out of the shower and matches recommendations to your abilities and goals. That might mean equipment, a different way of doing a task or home modifications. For NDIS participants, the OT can prepare the assessment and report needed to fund equipment and modifications. Home modification assessments →

Funding

Under the NDIS, occupational therapy is usually funded from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills (Category 15). Equipment is funded from Capital – Assistive Technology (Category 05) and home modifications from Capital – Home Modifications (Category 06). Self-funded OT is limited to functional capacity assessments for people applying for the NDIS.

Evidence referenced in this article

• Guide to providing home modifications. NDIS.
• How to buy mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology. NDIS.

Written by the Exercare allied health team. This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology and NDIS occupational therapy across south-east and eastern Melbourne.

Frequently asked questions