Making your home safer as you heal from a car crash
An occupational therapist's view of access, safety and independence
The hospital may say you’re ready to go home. Home can still be hard to get around. The bathroom is far from your bed. The shower has a high step. Your medicines make you dizzy. [1, 2]
An occupational therapist studies how well a person, a task and a space fit together. Small changes may make daily life safer without taking every choice away from you. [1, 2]
Walk through today's daily tasks
Picture a normal morning, one step at a time. You get out of bed, reach the bathroom, wash, dress, make food and get to an appointment. Mark any step where you nearly fall or break an injury restriction. Also mark where you get dizzy or need more help than you have. Start with those spots. A home safety plan works best when it fixes a real task. [1, 2]
Maybe you can’t safely get to the toilet, bathe or move around your home. If so, tell the team that discharged you or the team treating you right away. Ask whether a home health visit, an occupational therapy assessment, equipment or a different care setup makes sense. Don’t wait for a fall to prove there’s a problem. [1, 2]
Try low cost fixes first
Clear a path between your bed, the bathroom and the kitchen. Move loose cords and rugs out of the way. Add more light, especially at night. Store daily supplies where you can reach them without climbing, bending or lifting against your instructions. Keep a phone close by. [2]
These steps can cut down on trip hazards. When balance or movement is impaired, they can’t stand in for an exam by a clinician. [2]
- Can I get to the bathroom without a dark path or a loose rug?
- Can I sit, stand and move between a bed, chair or toilet without using an injured limb in a forbidden way?
- What do I use every day, and where can it go so I don’t have to stretch for it?
Get the right device and learn how to use it
A cane, walker, crutches, a shower chair or a rail may help. The wrong size or the wrong technique can cause a new problem. Ask a clinician or therapist which device fits your condition. Have them show you how to use it on your own floors, doorways and stairs. If a device hurts or catches on furniture, ask for an adjustment. [2, 3]
Bigger changes, like a ramp or a bathroom remodel, take planning. An occupational therapist can watch you do the task. They can then suggest changes that fit both your abilities and your space. Ask which changes are temporary and which you may need longer. If you rent, work out any physical changes with the property owner and ask about local help. Coverage and payment vary. [1]
Let the injured person keep making choices
A safe home still leaves room for the injured person to do things. Helpers don’t have to take over every task. Ask which parts the person wants to do and which parts need help. A helper might set out supplies while the injured person washes on their own. A plan that protects choice is easier to use and shows more respect. [1]
Check the setup again as things change
A setup that works this week may feel too limiting next month. It could also turn unsafe if dizziness gets worse. Tell your clinician about any fall or near fall, new weakness, vision changes or medicines that make you unsteady. MedlinePlus advises contacting a provider after a fall or near fall. [2]
Fix the riskiest task first
Pick the task most likely to cause an injury today. Make the route and setup for that task safer. Then ask your care team whether you need an occupational therapy home assessment.
Sources and further reading
- 1AOTA: Home modifications and participation
- 2MedlinePlus: Preventing falls
- 3MedlinePlus: Mobility aids
General U.S. education from the view of an occupational therapist. Any equipment or home change should fit your injury limits, your abilities and your living space. If daily tasks are unsafe, ask for a personal assessment.
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