Is appropriate lighting provided in the following areas:
Driveway Y N?
Why is there a garage?
Y N Pathways?
Y N At all times?
Y N Near the garbage cans?
Y N Is there any other section of the yard that is used after dark?
Driveway
Y N Is the driveway paved evenly and smoothly?
Y N Is the transition between the driveway and the surrounding surfaces (such as the yard) smooth and even, free of ruts and other potential tripping hazards (such as rocks)?
Y N Is the driveway's slope low enough that it does not pose a problem?
Walkways
Y N Are walkways smooth and level (no cracks, gaps, or other tripping hazards)?
Y N Are steps along walkways clearly visible?
Y N Do they have handrails?
Y N Are transitions between different surfaces (a patio and sidewalk, concrete and
asphalt, walkway and grass, etc.) even and level?
Y N If there are steeply inclined walkways, do they have sturdy, easy to grasp,
handrails?
Y N Are shrubs, bushes, and grass trimmed back or removed so that they do not
infringe on or obstruct the walkway (potential tripping hazard)?
Steps to the Doors
Y N Do all steps (even single steps) have sturdy, easy to grasp (cylindrical) rails
on both sides?
Y N Are the risers on stairs and multiple steps of equal height?
Y N Are the stair treads sturdy, level, and in good condition?
Y N Have small single steps (that could cause tripping) been mini-ramped?
Garage
Y N Are there adequate overhead lights in the garage?
Y N Is there a clear pathway to walk through?
Y N Do entry stairs or ramps to the house have railings?
Ramps (If Applicable)
Y N Are ramps rising at a minimum slope of 12:1 (12 inches of ramp length for every 1
inch of height is standard. However, 16:1 is recommended.)
Y N Do ramps have sturdy rails on both sides?
Y N Are the rails cylindrical for easy grasping?
Y N Do ramps have smooth transitions from ramp surface to ground surface?
Y N Do ramps have non-skid surfaces or have non-skid strips been added?
Y N Do ramp railings extend beyond the ramp to help people transition off the ramp?
Y N Do ramps have sufficient width of at least 36” between handrails?
Entry Landings
Front Rear
Y N Have all potential tripping hazards been removed?
Y N Is the landing wide and deep enough to safely open the door?
Y N Is there a clearly visible, easily reachable doorbell?
Y N Do porches and decks have railings or barriers to prevent someone from
stepping or falling off? (Are the railings secure?)
Y N Does the decking have secure, even floorboards with no protruding nails?
Y N Is there a non-skid surface on the porch/deck/landing?
Y N Do doormats have non-skid backing with no upturned corners?
Exterior Doors
Front Rear
Y N If necessary, are doorways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs?
Y N Are locks in good working order and easy to use?
Y N Are latches and door handles in good condition and easy to use?
Y N If someone has trouble turning a doorknob, are there lever handles?
Y N Do the doors open and close easily without sticking?
Y N Do doors on springs close slowly enough (so they don’t close on someone
going through the door)?
Y N Is the threshold at the door less than one inch high?
Y N Do glass sliding doors have decals at eye level?
Other Outdoor Area Concerns
Y N If there is a patio or deck, is it level, smoothly surfaced and free of tripping
hazards?
Y N Are walkways around the house, smooth and free of obstacles and
overgrown shrubbery, grass, and weeds that could cause tripping?
Y N Are garbage and recycling areas well lighted?
Y N Do these areas have safe, accessible stairs and railings?
INSIDE THE HOME
Entry Ways and Vestibules
Front Rear
Y N Have throw rugs (potential tripping hazards) been removed?
Y N Is there a clear pathway (devoid of clutter) through the entry hall?
Y N Are all cords and wires out of the pathway?
Y N Are thresholds low enough so someone does not trip over them?
Y N Is there adequate lighting?
Y N If necessary, is the entryway wide enough for a wheelchair/walker?
Hallways
Y N If people need support, are there handrails along the hall?
Y N Are halls free of clutter and other tripping obstacles?
Y N Are carpet runners tacked down or have anti-skid backing?
Y N Are thresholds less than one inch so they are not tripping hazards?
Y N If necessary, are halls wide enough for a wheelchair/walker?
Y N Is there adequate lighting?
Y N Is there a light switch at both ends of the hall?
Doors/Doorways
Y N Do all doors open easily?
Y N Are thresholds less than one inch?
Interior Stairs
Y N Do stairs have sturdy rails on both sides?
Y N Do rails continue onto the landings?
Y N Are the stair treads sturdy, not deteriorating or broken?
Y N Are edges of stair treads clearly visible (no dark, busy patterns)?
Y N Are stair pads in good repair (tacked down, in one piece)?
Y N (If bare wood) Are stair treads slip-resistant?
Y N (If carpeted) Is carpet securely attached, not worn/frayed?
Y N Are top and bottom steps highlighted?
Y N Are stairs free of clutter?
Y N If stairs have a low, overhanging beam that people could bump
their heads on, has it been padded?
Y N Are stairs and landings well lit, with light switches at both top and
bottom?
Living/Dining/Family/Other Rooms
Y N Is the lighting adequate?
Y N Is there a light switch at the entrance to the room?
Y N Is there a clear, unobstructed path through the room (no
clutter, cords, wires, baskets, and other things to trip over)?
Y N Are thresholds minimal and carpet binders tacked down?
Y N Are carpets in good condition (not frayed or turned up, torn,
or with worn spots that someone could trip over)?
Y N Are plastic runners/carpet protectors tacked down
(not folded or turned up at edges)?
Y N Do throw rugs have anti-skid backing and no upturned
corners?
Y N Is tile/linoleum free of chips, tears, and not slippery?
Y N Are bare wood floors slip resistant?
Y N Is there at least one comfortable chair people can get in and
out of safely and easily?
Y N Do tables have rounded edges that are clearly visible
(no sharp edges or made of glass)?
Y N Do windows open easily?
Y N Are shades and blinds easy to open?
Y N Are they securely attached?
Bathrooms
General Considerations
Y N Is there a light switch at the entry?
Y N Is there adequate lighting overall?
Y N …..At the sink?
Y N …. Over the tub/shower?
Y N Is there a night light?
Y N Is the door threshold less than one inch?
Y N Is the room free of clutter and tripping hazards?
Y N Is the flooring non-slip/non-skid (including throw rugs)?
Y N Are there grab bars in other areas of the room as needed?
Y N Is the room kept warm during bathing (heat lamp, towel warmers, etc.)?
Sinks
Y N Are sink faucets easy to reach and read?
Y N Is it easy to determine where the hot and cold areas of the faucet are?
Y N Is it easy to mix the temperature?
Y N If necessary, have anti-scald devices been installed?
Y N Is the sink wheelchair accessible or can someone sit at the sink?
Y N Are mirrors at an appropriate height?
Tub/Shower
Y N Are there sturdy grab bars in the tub and/or shower, if needed?
Y N Is the shower curtain bottom out of the way so it is not a tripping hazard?
Y N Are toiletries in the tub easily reached from sitting and standing positions?
Y N Is there a non-skid bathmat in the bathtub?
Y N Is there a hand-held shower head?
Y N Are tub/shower faucets easy to use and read (hot & cold clearly marked)?
Y N If needed, is there a tub or shower seat?
Toilet
Y N Are there sturdy grab bars at the toilet (or toilet arms and a raised seat)?
Y N Is toilet paper easily reachable from the toilet seat?
Y N Is the toilet seat in good condition and securely fastened?
Kitchen
Y N Are frequently used items visible and easily reached (front of pantry and
refrigerator)?
Y N Are sink faucets easy to reach and read?
Y N Is it easy to determine where the hot and cold areas of the faucet are?
Y N Is it easy to mix the temperature?
Y N If necessary, have anti-scald devices been installed or the hot water temperature
lowered?
Y N If necessary, have timers been installed on the oven and cook top?
Y N Are burners and control knobs clearly labeled and easy to use?
Y N Are the controls on the front of the stove, not the back?
Y N Is there a close resting place nearby for hot vessels coming out of the oven?
Y N Is glass cookware being used so person sees food is being cooked?
Y N Is the microwave easy to read, reach, and operate?
Laundry Room
Y N Is there a light switch at the entry?
Y N Is there sufficient lighting?
Y N Is the route to the laundry room (stairs) safe?
Y N Are the appliances at the right height so it easy to get clothes in/out of the washer
and dryer?
Y N Are the control knobs easy to reach, read, and operate?
Y N Are laundry supplies easy and safe to reach?
Y N Is there a non-slip floor surface?
Y N Are tripping hazards off the floor (laundry basket or dirty clothes)?
Bedrooms
Y N Is there a light at the entrance to the room?
Y N Is a light reachable from the bed?
Y N Can bureau drawers be reached (height of the drawer) and opened easily?
Y N Is there a clear, unobstructed path through the room (clutter and furniture
are out of the way)?
Y N Are cords and wires off the floor?
Y N Do throw and area rugs have non-slip backing and no upturned corners?
Y N Are wood and linoleum floors non-skid?
Y N Is carpet smooth (no folds or holes) and tacked down?
Y N Are curtains and bed coverings off the floor so they are not tripping
hazards?
Y N Is there support for getting in and out of bed, if needed?
Y N Is there a place to sit and get dressed, if needed?
Y N Are windows easy to open and close?
Y N Are window blinds and shades working properly and easy to open?
Y N Are blinds and shades properly secured?
Closets
Y N Are shelves and clothes poles easy to reach?
Y N Have closet organizers been installed to maximize use of space?
Y N Are closets organized so clothes are easy to find?
Y N Are clutter and other tripping hazards off the floor?
Y N Do closets have lights that are easy to find and reach?
Y N Are closet door easy to open?
Y N If closet has sliding doors, do they stay on track?
General Home Safety Concerns
Y N Can an older person contact someone in an emergency (medi-alert, names and
numbers by phone, picture telephone, etc.)?
Y N Are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms installed and working?
Y N Is there a fire extinguisher in the house?
Y N Is there a safe place outside to hide a key to the house for emergency entry?
SPECIFIC CHECKLIST FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
AND OTHER DEMENTIAS
If wandering is a problem, complete the following checklist:
Y N Is there a safe outdoor area that the person with dementia can use without
wandering away (escape proof porch or deck, fenced in yard with locked gate)?
Y N Have poisonous plants and shrubs or plantings with berries been removed?
Y N Are there security locks on all exterior doors (double key, installed out of sight,
etc.)?
Y N Is a key hidden outside in case the person locks out the caregiver?
Y N Are exterior and other doors to off-limit areas alarmed?
Y N Is access to stairwells, storage areas, basements, garages, and other off-limit
areas controlled (with locks, secure gates, Dutch doors, etc.)?
Y N Is access to home offices and computer/home finance areas controlled?
Y N If necessary, can all doors to off-limit areas be disguised?
Y N Are there eye-level decals on all glass doors and large picture windows?
Y N Can all windows be securely locked?
Y N Is there a safe, clear pathway through the house where the person can walk or
wander safely without tripping, knocking into, or damaging something?
If orientation or getting lost in the house is a problem, complete the
following checklist:
Y N Are there signs, arrows, photographs, etc. pointing to the bathroom, bedroom, and
other places the person needs to find?
Y N Are doors, that the person needs to use, highlighted (signs, color, etc.)?
Y N Is there a photo or memento on the door to help someone find his/her bedroom?
Y N Are there night lights or light strips leading to the bathroom from the bedroom?
Y N Is the bathroom door left open when not in use to serve as a visual cue?
Y N Are closets, drawers, and cabinets that hold things the person can use labeled?
If hallucinations/misrecognition are problems, complete the following
checklist:
Y N Are light levels even so that shade and shadows are kept to a minimum?
Y N Has ominous looking artwork been removed (masks, distortions, abstract work)?
If the person gets upset by his/her or another person’s image:
Y N Are windows covered at night so person cannot see his/her reflection?
Y N Are mirrors covered?
Y N Have portraits and large photographs of people been removed or covered?
