5 Home Accessibility Tips for Hosting Older Guests
If you’re welcoming loved ones this holiday season, you want your home to feel warm, festive, and effortless. If older adults are visiting, a few thoughtful adjustments can make a world of difference.
Below are simple, high-impact steps I recommend, using The Art of Safe Living methodology, to prep your home for hosting:
1. Clear the welcome path
Before guests arrive, walk your entryway the way they would.
Remove tripping hazards, trim back branches, ensure warm lighting, and place a low-profile, non-slip mat.
The goal: a welcoming first impression that’s both stylish and safe.
2. Create a supportive seating plan
Offer at least one firm, higher chair with arms.
This helps guests who have knee pain, balance changes, or arthritis rise comfortably.
Place this seat where conversation is easy — your guests shouldn’t have to strain or feel singled out.
3. Light your home like a guide
Use warm, easy lighting along hallways, guest walkways, and bathrooms. Think motion-activated nightlights or floor-level lights — helpful for everyone, especially visitors unfamiliar with your layout.
4. Think about “guest-friendly” bathrooms
Add a non-slip bath mat
Ensure good lighting
Keep floors clutter-free
Add a strategic grab bar or stable side table near the toilet (beautiful options exist!)
5. Seat older adults where their exit paths are clearest
When hosting a meal, place your elderly guests or guests with mobility concerns closer to the bathroom or the easiest exit route.
This reduces long, uneven walks, avoids tight corners, and supports safer, calmer movement during the evening.
These little changes give your guests comfort, dignity, and peace of mind and help you host with confidence.
If you’d like personalized guidance for your holiday hosting or year-round living, The Art of Safe Living offers Home Safety Consultations, Concierge Implementation and Ongoing Support.
Whether it’s preparing for a holiday gathering or planning ahead for the future, we’re here to help create homes that support comfort, dignity, and graceful living at every age.