Prevent Falls and Make Your Home Safer | Camrose Community Insider

Falls often begin with a small hazard that is easy to overlook: a loose rug, a dim stairway, a cord across a walking path, or an item stored too high. A room-by-room check can make those risks easier to see and easier to address.

This guide is for Camrose seniors, adult children, caregivers, and neighbours who want to support safer, more comfortable homes. Start with changes that can be made today, then learn about Alberta programs before planning larger work.

Begin with a calm room-by-room check

Walk through the home in daylight and again after dark. Follow the routes used for getting up, making a meal, using the bathroom, doing laundry, and going outside. A trusted family member or neighbour can notice hazards that have become familiar.

Think about the person’s real routine rather than an imaginary perfect room. A hazard matters most where someone turns, carries something, wakes at night, or moves from a bright space into a dim one. Ask the person to show you how they normally use each area, and listen for places where they already feel cautious.

Write down one or two changes for each room instead of trying to fix everything at once. A calm, collaborative check can support independence and comfort. It should never make someone feel blamed for a hazard that developed through ordinary daily living.

Look for places where you could trip, slip, overreach, or lose your balance.
Keep hallways, stairs, and regular walking paths clear.
Notice where lighting is weak, especially between the bedroom and bathroom.

Entrances

Keep the approach to each entrance clear of shoes, parcels, hoses, and seasonal items. Secure or remove loose mats, improve the porch light, and check that the threshold is easy to see. If a handrail is loose or missing, arrange a proper repair rather than using nearby furniture for support.

Hallways and living areas

Move electrical cords away from walking areas and keep rugs flat and firmly secured. Leave a clear route around chairs and tables. Stable furniture can help with everyday comfort, but it should not replace a properly installed handrail or grab bar.

Stairs

Keep every step free of storage, laundry, and loose objects. Use lighting that reaches the top and bottom of the staircase, and make sure the handrail is secure. Avoid carrying bulky items that block your view. A qualified professional can assess railings that need repair or replacement.

Kitchen

Wipe spills promptly and keep frequently used dishes, food, and small appliances within an easy reach. Store heavier items where they can be lifted without stretching or twisting. Good lighting near the sink, stove, and main work surface makes the area easier to use.

Bathroom

Bathrooms need special attention because water can make surfaces slippery. Keep the floor dry, use a properly secured non-slip mat where appropriate, and make sure the path to the toilet and bathing area is clear. Grab bars should be installed for support by someone qualified, not attached to a surface that cannot safely carry the load.

Bedroom

Keep a lamp or light switch within easy reach, add a nightlight along the route to the bathroom, and leave enough space to stand and turn. Supportive footwear can be kept beside the bed so bare feet or loose slippers do not become the first step of the day.

Basement and laundry area

Keep stairs, utility rooms, and the route to the washer and dryer clear. Clean up detergent or water promptly, keep supplies at a manageable height, and avoid carrying a load that blocks your view. Ask for help with heavy or awkward items instead of rushing.

Outdoor paths

Check walkways, steps, decks, and the route to the garage or garden for uneven ground, wet leaves, gravel, and objects left in the way. Good outdoor lighting helps after sunset. A professional should assess ramps, structural repairs, and changes to steps or railings.

Details that help in every room

Lighting should reach entrances, stairs, hallways, bathrooms, and other frequently used areas. Plug-in nightlights or motion-sensing lights can help with a low-cost improvement. Keep switches easy to reach and avoid walking through a dark room to find a light.

Wear supportive, well-fitting, non-slip footwear inside and outside. Arrange regular vision checks, and ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider to review medications that may contribute to dizziness, tiredness, or unsteadiness. This article cannot assess an individual health concern.

Low-cost changes you can make today

Many first steps do not require a renovation. Remove loose throw rugs or secure them properly, move cords, clear clutter, add nightlights, place regular-use items within reach, and choose stable footwear. Take one route at a time so the work stays manageable.

When to bring in a qualified professional

Get qualified help for railings, grab bars, ramps, electrical work, and structural changes. Professional advice matters when a modification must carry weight, change a doorway or stairway, connect to electricity, or affect the structure of the home. Ask about the work plan, the contractor’s qualifications, and written costs before work begins.

Free Finding Balance resources

Finding Balance is an Alberta falls-prevention initiative developed by the University of Alberta’s Injury Prevention Centre. Its Spot the Hazard Home Safety Checklist can guide a room-by-room review, and the Actively Aging booklet offers additional falls-prevention information. Visit Finding Balance Alberta or call 780-492-6019 for current information.

Programs that may help with larger work

SHARP loan

The Alberta Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program loan may help eligible senior homeowners pay for repairs, adaptations, or renovations. The loan can be up to $40,000 per household outstanding, with a minimum $500 per application. The applicant must generally be 65 or older, although only one spouse or partner needs to meet the age requirement. Total annual household income must be $75,000 or less, and at least 25 percent home equity must remain. The loan is secured against the home, interest applies, and monthly payments are not required. It becomes due when the home is sold, is no longer the primary residence, or the borrower is no longer a registered owner. The rate is reviewed every April and October, so confirm the current rate and rules before applying.

SHARP grant

The SHARP grant may be considered for lower-income senior homeowners who are not eligible for the loan and need basic, essential repairs. It can provide up to $5,000 per household in a benefit year and up to $15,000 over a lifetime. Eligible repairs generally need to cost at least $500. Income thresholds and other rules can change, so use the current official guide.

Residential Access Modification Program

RAMP provides grants for permanent access modifications for low-income Albertans with mobility challenges. Funding can be up to $12,000 per person in a benefit year and up to $24,000 per person within 10 years. Eligibility is specific and may include wheelchair users, seniors 65 or older who use a four-wheel walker on an ongoing basis, and some people with qualifying progressive conditions. Applications may require professional recommendations and contractor quotes. Review the RAMP guidelines before planning work.

Federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit

The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit is a non-refundable credit for up to $20,000 in qualifying home-accessibility expenses per calendar year per qualifying individual or eligible dwelling. The actual tax reduction depends on the applicable federal credit rate and the person’s tax situation. Keep contracts and receipts, confirm that the work qualifies, and ask a tax professional for guidance when needed.

Confirm help before work begins

Program eligibility, income rules, approved expenses, funding limits, and rates can change. Confirm current information before signing a contract or beginning work. Alberta Supports can be reached at 1-877-644-9992, and the RAMP contact number is 1-877-427-5760.

This article provides general community information. It is not medical, legal, financial, or tax advice, and assistance is not guaranteed.

Next step: Review the official safety resources, then share this guide with an adult child, caregiver, or neighbour who can help with the next room-by-room check.