Free Home Safety Checklist for Aging in Place
A practical, room-by-room guide for families helping a parent stay home safely — and for anyone who'd rather spot a fall risk now than after it happens. Written by a CAPS-certified aging-in-place specialist who renovates homes across the Twin Ports.
- Walk through every room the way a remodeler would
- Catch the small hazards that cause most home falls
- Know what to fix this weekend vs. plan for later
Why this matters
One in four adults over 65 falls each year. Most of those falls happen at home — and most are preventable.
The hardest conversations we have with families almost always start the same way: "We wish we'd done this before the fall." A loose rug, a missing grab bar, a step into the tub that used to be easy — small things, until they aren't.
This checklist is the same one we use when we walk through homes in Duluth, Superior, and the surrounding Northwest Wisconsin communities. It's plain-English, non-pushy, and genuinely useful whether you hire a contractor or fix things yourself.
What's inside
Six sections. Every room that matters.
Each section gives you specific things to look for, why they matter, and which fixes are simple weekend projects versus jobs worth bringing in an accessibility contractor.
Entry & Exterior Safety
Simple upgrades that help prevent slips, trips, and difficult entry access.
Bathroom Safety
The most important room in the home for fall prevention and independence.
Kitchen Accessibility
Small changes that make everyday tasks easier and safer.
Stair & Hallway Safety
Lighting, railings, and mobility considerations that reduce risk.
General Home Safety
Common household hazards many families overlook.
Future Accessibility Planning
Ways to prepare the home before mobility becomes a challenge.
Explore further
Aging in place remodeling we do every week.
Bathroom Remodeling
Walk-in showers, comfort-height toilets, and accessible bathroom remodeling in Duluth and Superior.
Grab Bars
Properly anchored grab bar installation throughout Duluth MN and the Twin Ports.
Accessibility Remodeling
Doorway widening, flooring transitions, and wheelchair accessible home remodeling across Wisconsin.
Ramps & Entry Solutions
Custom wood and aluminum ramps, threshold ramps, and safer entryways for Northwest Wisconsin homes.
Frequently asked
Aging in place questions we hear from Twin Ports families.
What is a home safety checklist for aging in place?+
It's a room-by-room guide for spotting fall risks and accessibility gaps — things like missing grab bars, slick tubs, narrow doorways, poor lighting, and hard-to-reach storage. Our checklist is written specifically for homes in Duluth, Superior, and the surrounding Twin Ports area, where older housing stock and Northwest Wisconsin winters create their own challenges.
Who is this checklist for?+
Adult children helping a parent stay in their home, seniors planning ahead, and any homeowner who wants to prevent a fall before it happens. You don't need any construction knowledge to use it.
Do I have to hire Homeward to use the checklist?+
No. The checklist is genuinely free and useful on its own. If you do want help with the work — bathroom remodeling, grab bars, ramps, or a full accessibility renovation — we're a CAPS-certified contractor based in the Twin Ports and happy to walk through your home with you.
What does CAPS certified mean?+
CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a designation from the National Association of Home Builders. It means we've been trained specifically in the design, construction, and home modifications that help people stay in their homes safely as their needs change.
Where do you serve?+
We're based in the Twin Ports and work throughout Duluth MN, Superior WI, and Northwest Wisconsin — including surrounding towns. If you're not sure whether you're in our area, just ask.
How much do aging in place modifications usually cost?+
It varies widely. A few well-placed grab bars is a small project. A full walk-in shower conversion or a wheelchair-accessible bathroom remodel is a larger investment. Our free in-home assessment gives you a clear, written scope before you commit to anything.
Take the first step toward a safer home.
Download the checklist, walk through your home, and circle anything that worries you. When you're ready, we'll come take a look — Duluth, Superior, anywhere in the Twin Ports.