Home Safety Tips for People with Visual Dysfunction

Conditions that commonly affect vision

Examples include:

• Posterior cortical atrophy
• Corticobasal degeneration
• Dementia with Lewy bodies

The recommendations below aim to improve safety and independence at home for people with visual processing difficulties. Choose the changes that fit the person’s needs and the home environment.

General environment

Simplify the space

• Remove clutter and items that are not in regular use. Keep walking paths clear.
• Remove or replace unstable or low-profile furniture such as low stools or narrow side tables.
• Manage rugs and mats:
  • Remove loose scatter rugs when possible.
  • Use non-slip under-padding or choose rugs with a rubber backing.
  • Secure edges with double-sided carpet tape (indoor use only).
• Move and secure cords away from high-traffic areas.
• Ensure consistent, adequate lighting. Use night lights and add fixtures where needed.
• Reduce glare from direct sunlight by using blinds, shades, or sheer curtains; avoid exposed bulbs without shades.
• Install window or glass door markers so the glass is easier to detect.
• Consider door alarms or safety locks if wandering is a concern.

Increase contrast and tactile cues

• Label doors with bright paper and dark, high-contrast text (for example, yellow background with black type).
• Paint or replace light-switch plates and door frames in colors that contrast with the wall.
• Mark stair edges with contrasting paint or adhesive strips and add tactile cues at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Use contrasting strips or mats to create clear pathways to important areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry.

Kitchen

• Mark stovetop burners and dials with high-contrast labels so they are easier to identify and to know when elements are hot.
• Prefer front-mounted stove controls to reduce the need to reach over hot burners.
• Label commonly used oven settings (for example, 350 degrees) and appliance buttons with tactile markers or bumper dots.
• Supervise stove use when needed. If safety is a concern, consider disconnecting appliances when the person is alone.
• Mark one-minute or commonly used microwave buttons with a contrasting sticker or tactile marker.
• Store cleaning supplies separately from food; lock or secure hazardous materials and dispose of unneeded or expired substances safely.
• Keep cupboard doors and drawers closed when not in use; return items to the same place each day to support recognition and independence.
• Place frequently used items at an accessible, consistent height; consider a designated counter area for preferred foods.
• Keep counters clear and minimize clutter.
• Consider appliances with automatic shut-off, such as kettles.
• Kitchen aids that can help:
  • Elbow-length oven mitts for burn protection
  • Knife guards and stabilized cutting boards
  • Cutting board with contrasting sides (black and white)
  • Task lighting over the work area (adjustable lamp)
  • Large-print timers and liquid measure tools
  • Simple relabeling with a thick black marker, clear short words, or a single-picture cue
  • Audio labelers (for example, pen-style recorders) for frequently used containers

Eating

• Use solid-color, high-contrast plates and placemats (no patterns or ridged edges).
• Match plate color to the food: light-colored foods on dark plates and dark foods on light plates.
• Keep the dining area simple. Arrange utensils and glassware in a consistent pattern (for example, glass on the right, napkin on the left).
• Avoid patterned tablecloths. Limit items on the table to those needed for the meal.
• Use clear verbal cues at mealtime (“your glass is on your right”).
• Consider plate guards or adapted utensils to increase success and reduce spills.

Bedroom

• Use contrasting bedding: a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and a pillowcase in different solid colors to help with orientation.
• Place a bright mat on the nightstand to contrast with the objects on it (lamp, phone, glasses).

Dressing

• Label drawers and shelves with high-contrast text or pictures.
• Remove clothes that are no longer worn and store out-of-season items elsewhere.
• Simplify wardrobe organization (group shirts in one drawer, pants in another) and, when helpful, lay out the day’s clothing in the morning.
• Choose clothing with fewer fasteners; use elastic waists, pull-on styles, and Velcro where appropriate.
• Pin socks together before laundering to keep pairs matched.

Bathroom

• Keep floors, counters, and storage areas free of clutter.
• Use a high-contrast, non-slip bath mat and install grab bars in a contrasting color. If only towel bars exist, add a contrasting tactile strip to distinguish them from grab bars.
• Pick up bath mats after use and store them safely to reduce the risk of falls.
• If locating the toilet is difficult, consider a brightly colored toilet seat or a raised seat with arms; tape the arms in a contrasting color if needed.
• Mark the toilet-flush handle with contrasting tape.
• Label key areas — toilet, sink, and bathroom door — with high-contrast signs.
• Use bright containers for soap and contrasting-colored soap to improve visibility.
• Keep frequently used items (toothbrush, toothpaste) in a small, shallow basket or on a contrasting mat.
• Consider toothpaste that contrasts with the toothbrush bristles for easier detection.
• Cover mirrors if they cause confusion or distress.

Personal care

• Arrange professional nail care when needed; in-home services are available.
• Choose footwear with flat, non-slip soles, enclosed toes, and Velcro closures.

Medication routine

• Supervision of medication administration is usually recommended when vision or cognition is impaired.
• Store medications securely and dispose of expired or unneeded medicines safely.
• Ask the prescriber or pharmacist whether the dosing can be simplified (for example, to once daily).
• Practical aids: prefilled blister packs, dosette boxes, a clear medication list, and alarms or reminders.

Stairs

• Provide good lighting with switches at both the top and bottom of stairways.
• Install secure railings on one or both sides and extend railings beyond the top and bottom steps.
• Use non-slip stair surfaces and mark step edges with contrasting tape or paint.
• Add a contrasting tactile strip at the top and bottom of the stairs to cue transitions.

Progression and alternatives

• Install a safety gate to limit stair access if needed.
• When possible, arrange living areas on a single level to reduce stair use.

Communication and scheduling

• Use a phone with large, high-contrast numbers and one-touch speed-dial buttons.
• Program emergency and frequently used numbers and add tactile markers to those keys.
• Create a visible “memory center” with phone, keys, a notepad, a large whiteboard, and a black marker.
• Keep a paper and pen near the phone for messages and place the phone on a contrasting mat.
• Consider voice-activated dialing services and talking clocks or watches for time and appointment reminders.