What is Home Modification?
Removing potential hazards prevents accidents from happening and reduces risks of falling. An occupational therapist can help to assess your home, identify potential safety hazards, and recommend improvements to the living environment.
There are also social service agencies and private organisations that provide home modification services. Use our E-Care Locator to get a list of these organisations.
Changes could range from simple adjustments to your home or lifestyle, to more complicated modifications such as the addition of fittings or structural changes to your home.
Simple Adjustments
- Addition of grab bars
- Use of non-slip mats or application of non-slip treatments on floors of wet and slippery areas, e.g. bathroom and toilet
- Removal of rugs and wires on the floor
- Moving switches to an accessible level
- Highlighting steps and stairs with fluorescent tape for better visibility at night
- Move your care recipient to a room on the ground floor (if you stay in a multi-storey house)
Complicated Modifications
- Widening of doorways for easy access into rooms, if your care recipient uses a wheelchair
- Installation of ramps
- Removal of walls
You can find a
home safety checklist by Changi General Hospital here.
HDB’s Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) helps to make your home more senior-friendly.
