Living with arthritis can make some everyday movements more difficult, particularly when joints are stiff, painful, or less flexible. Small obstacles around the home—such as loose rugs, cluttered pathways, poor lighting, or difficult steps—may also make moving around more challenging.
This free Arthritis-Friendly Home Safety Checklist helps you review common areas of your home and identify potential hazards that may be worth addressing.
You do not need to change everything at once. Use the checklist to decide which improvements deserve attention first.
What Does the Home Safety Checklist Cover?
The printable helps you review common safety concerns in and around your home, including:
- Walking areas: Loose rugs, clutter, cords, and obstacles in frequently used pathways.
- Lighting: Dark hallways, stairways, entrances, and other areas where visibility may be limited.
- Bathroom safety: Slippery surfaces, access to bathing areas, and the availability of appropriate support.
- Stairs and steps: Handrails, clear steps, and other potential difficulties when moving between levels.
- Furniture and seating: Stable furniture and arrangements that allow room to move.
- Everyday access: Frequently used items and household areas that may require unnecessary bending, stretching, or awkward movement.
- Emergency readiness: Keeping important contact information accessible and planning how to get help when needed.
The checklist is a starting point for noticing possible problems, not a formal home-safety assessment.
Download the Free Printable
Use the checklist to walk through your home one area at a time. Mark items that need attention and note the changes you want to make.
Printable: Arthritis-Friendly Home Safety Checklist (PDF)
How to Use the Checklist
- Review one area at a time. Start with the rooms and pathways you use most often.
- Look for specific hazards. Notice loose rugs, obstructed walkways, poor lighting, unstable support, or other conditions that could make movement more difficult.
- Record the changes needed. Write down practical improvements rather than trying to solve every problem immediately.
- Prioritize concerns. Address serious or immediate hazards first, and seek help with changes that require installation or professional assessment.
- Review it again later. Your needs and abilities may change, so revisit the checklist when your circumstances change.
Who May Find This Checklist Helpful?
This printable may be useful for people living with arthritis who want to review their home environment, as well as family members or caregivers helping them identify possible hazards.
It may be particularly helpful if joint stiffness, reduced grip, discomfort when bending, or difficulty moving around makes certain areas of the home more challenging.
Home Safety vs. Home Accessibility
These two concerns overlap, but they are not quite the same.
- Home safety focuses on identifying hazards that could contribute to slips, trips, falls, or other accidents.
- Home accessibility focuses on making rooms, storage, controls, and everyday tasks easier to reach and use.
For a broader review of reaching, storage, room layout, and daily tasks, see the Home Accessibility Mini-Assessment.
For ideas on practical changes and helpful equipment, visit Helpful Products for an Arthritis-Friendly Home.
A Practical First Step
You do not need to renovate your home to begin improving its safety. Some concerns may be addressed through better organization, improved lighting, or removing obstacles. Other changes—particularly grab-bar installation, stair modifications, or structural alterations—may need professional advice or installation.
If you are unsure which changes are appropriate for your needs, consider asking an occupational therapist or another qualified professional for guidance.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general awareness and planning only. It does not replace an individualized home-safety assessment, medical advice, or occupational therapy advice.
Practical tools. No hype.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, rheumatologist, or occupational therapist before making changes to how you manage your arthritis.
