Remaining in a familiar home is important to many older adults, but ordinary household features can become more difficult to navigate over time.

A few well-chosen improvements may make daily activities easier while reducing the chance of slips and falls.

Begin with the routes you walk most often

Walk through the home at the times you normally use each room, including early morning and evening.

Move shoes, cords and small objects out of hallways, secure loose carpeting and remove throw rugs that slide.

Improve lighting at stairs, doorways and the path between the bedroom and bathroom.

Night-lights and reachable switches can make a meaningful difference when someone gets up after dark.

Make bathrooms easier to use

Wet bathroom floors create particular risks, so consider nonslip surfaces and professionally installed grab bars near toilets, tubs and showers.

A towel rack is not a substitute for a properly anchored grab bar.

A shower seat or handheld showerhead may also help some residents, depending on their mobility needs.

Look carefully at stairs and entrances

Check that steps are clearly visible, free of clutter and equipped with sturdy handrails.

Make sure outside walkways are well maintained and that entrances have adequate lighting.

If steps have become difficult, ask a qualified professional whether a safer handrail, ramp or other accessibility improvement makes sense.

Use the kitchen without unnecessary reaching

Keep frequently used dishes, food and cookware within comfortable reach.

Avoid climbing onto chairs or reaching over hot surfaces to retrieve heavy items.

Arrange the kitchen so that cooking supplies are easy to find and walking areas stay clear.

Plan for emergencies before they happen

Keep important telephone numbers available in large print and save emergency contacts on a mobile phone.

Consider how you would call for help during a fall, illness or power outage.

Review smoke alarms and emergency escape routes as part of the same home walkthrough.

Local guidance is available

Residents of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties can contact the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability for information about regional services.

Its information and assistance line is 866-836-6678, and staff can help explain available programs or referrals.

If someone has recently fallen or has difficulty with daily tasks, a healthcare professional may recommend an occupational or physical therapy assessment tailored to the home.

The best approach is to start with the most immediate hazards, make manageable improvements and revisit the checklist as needs change.