The bathroom is where most falls happen at home. For Australians over 65, a fall in the bathroom can mean a hospital stay, a long recovery, and for many families, the moment that changes everything.
The good news is that most bathroom hazards are easy to spot and straightforward to fix. This checklist covers five zones you can walk through today. Save this page, print it out, or share it with your family before a home visit.
Key takeaways:
- Five zones to check: toilet, shower, bath, floor and entry, lighting
- Most fixes cost under $100 and take less than an hour to install
- Structural changes (permanent grab rails, widened doorways) need an OT or licensed tradie
- One failed check is enough reason to act — don't wait for a fall
Jump to a zone:
- Zone 1 — Toilet Area
- Zone 2 — Shower Area
- Zone 3 — Bath Area
- Zone 4 — Floor and Entry
- Zone 5 — Lighting
Why the Bathroom Is the Highest-Risk Room at Home
Wet floors, confined spaces, and the need to lower and raise your body repeatedly make the bathroom a uniquely demanding environment. Add reduced balance, reduced muscle strength, or a recent health event, and the risk increases significantly.
Falls in bathrooms tend to be more serious than falls elsewhere: hard surfaces, limited space to catch yourself, and the likelihood of being alone all play a part. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care estimates that falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation for people over 65.
The five zones to check
We have structured this checklist around five zones. Work through them one at a time. Mark each item pass or fail. Any fail item is worth acting on now, before it becomes an emergency.
Zone 1 — Toilet Area
| Check | Pass / Fail | What to do if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Grab rail on at least one side of the toilet | ☐ / ☐ | Install a toilet rail or toilet surround frame |
| Toilet seat height is 45 cm or higher from the floor | ☐ / ☐ | Add a raised toilet seat to bring the height up |
| Non-slip mat on floor beside the toilet | ☐ / ☐ | Replace loose or lightweight mats with a suction-backed non-slip mat |
| Toilet paper within reach without twisting or stretching | ☐ / ☐ | Reposition the holder or use a freestanding caddy within arm's reach |
Many people underestimate the effort of getting on and off a low toilet, especially after a hip replacement, knee surgery, or a bout of dizziness. Toilet rails are one of the most cost-effective safety investments available.
Zone 2 — Shower Area
| Check | Pass / Fail | What to do if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Grab rail at shower entry and inside the shower | ☐ / ☐ | Permanent wall-mounted rails need a licensed tradie; suction grab bars work as a short-term fix |
| Non-slip mat or strips on the shower floor | ☐ / ☐ | Install a non-slip shower mat that covers the base fully |
| Shower chair or stool available for use | ☐ / ☐ | A shower chair or shower stool lets you bathe safely seated |
| Handheld showerhead fitted | ☐ / ☐ | A handheld showerhead makes bathing seated much easier — no plumber needed for most models |
| Tap controls reachable from a seated position | ☐ / ☐ | If taps require leaning or stretching, discuss relocation with a plumber or OT |
Showering seated is not a concession. It is the safer option for anyone with reduced balance or fatigue. A shower chair or fold-up shower seat takes up minimal space and makes an immediate difference.
Zone 3 — Bath Area
| Check | Pass / Fail | What to do if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Grab rail at the rim or wall beside the bath | ☐ / ☐ | Permanent rail installation needs a tradie; bath-mounted grab handles are a no-drill option |
| Non-slip mat inside and outside the bath | ☐ / ☐ | Place a bath mat inside the tub and a separate mat on the floor outside |
| Bath board or bath lift available if still using the tub | ☐ / ☐ | A bath board or bath transfer bench makes entry and exit far safer |
If getting in and out of the bath feels risky, it probably is. For many older Australians, switching to a walk-in shower, or adding a bath board, is the single most effective change they can make.
Zone 4 — Floor and Entry
| Check | Pass / Fail | What to do if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| No loose rugs on the bathroom floor | ☐ / ☐ | Remove them entirely or replace with a fully suction-backed non-slip mat |
| Threshold or step at the door is no higher than 13 mm | ☐ / ☐ | Steps higher than 13 mm are a structural issue — escalate to OT assessment |
| Door opens outward or is a sliding door | ☐ / ☐ | An inward-opening door can block access if someone falls — discuss with a builder or OT |
| Floor surface is non-slip when wet | ☐ / ☐ | Anti-slip strips or sprays can help; a full re-tile is a structural fix requiring a tradie |
Loose rugs are one of the most common and most easily removed fall hazards in any home. If the only change you make today is pulling up a loose bathroom rug, that is a worthwhile visit.
Zone 5 — Lighting
| Check | Pass / Fail | What to do if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Motion-sensor nightlight or plug-in nightlight in the bathroom | ☐ / ☐ | Plug-in motion-sensor nightlights cost under $20 at most hardware stores |
| No dark corners or shadows in the bathroom | ☐ / ☐ | Add a secondary light source or replace with a brighter bulb |
| Light switch accessible at the bathroom entry (not just inside) | ☐ / ☐ | An electrician can add a second switch; motion sensors are a simpler fix |
| Hallway between bedroom and bathroom is lit at night | ☐ / ☐ | Plug-in nightlights every 2–3 metres along the route are enough |
Most bathroom falls happen at night. The trip from bedroom to bathroom in the dark, often groggy and without glasses, is a real risk. A $15 motion-sensor nightlight can change the equation entirely.
When to Call in a Professional
Some items on this checklist are things you can fix this afternoon. Others need a licensed tradie or an Occupational Therapist (OT).
We recommend booking an OT assessment when:
- Two or more zones have fail items
- Structural changes are needed (permanent grab rails, door widening, threshold removal)
- A fall has already happened in the bathroom
- The person living there has dementia, Parkinson's, stroke-related weakness, or poor vision
An OT can assess the home, recommend specific modifications, and help access funding through a Home Care Package or NDIS plan. You do not need a referral to contact one.
What to Do Next
Work through the five zones above, then make a list of anything that failed. Start with the quickest wins: loose rugs removed, a nightlight plugged in, a non-slip mat fitted in the shower. Then move to the items that need a product or a professional.
Our bathroom aids collection covers everything on this checklist: shower chairs and grab rails, bath boards, raised toilet seats, and non-slip mats. Everything ships Australia-wide, and our team is happy to help if you are not sure which product suits the situation.
Because independence matters — and a safer bathroom is where it starts.