Sydney-based home care service Better Caring has a handy guide to home safety for the elderly and infirm.

Useful for older or infirm Australians and those who care for them, the guide covers:

• warning signs that extra help may be needed
• how to approach those conversations and accept change
• assessing how much help is needed now and into the future
• what home modifications may be essential or simply useful.

The guide also includes five essential tips to avoid falls and a home safety checklist.

Conversation starter

Have you – or someone you care for who lives independently – experienced personal safety and/or security concerns? Where did you turn for advice or help? Were you able to successfully address those concerns or rectify any vulnerabilities?