Access | My Therapy Hub

Access and Outdoors

Getting into and out of the home is an important part of staying independent. Being able to leave the house allows people to continue doing the things that matter to them — visiting friends and family, attending appointments, shopping, exercising, and taking part in the community.

As mobility, balance, vision, or confidence changes, areas that were once easy to manage can become more challenging. Steps that were never noticed before, a dark pathway, or a difficult doorway can become barriers to everyday activities.

Small changes to the entrance and outdoor areas can help people feel more confident and reduce the effort needed to safely get in and out of their home.

What to consider

Pathways and Ground Surfaces

Things to consider:

Are pathways even and in good condition?
Are there cracks, loose stones, moss, or slippery surfaces?
Are leaves, plants, bins, or other items creating obstacles?
Is there enough space to walk safely, including if using a walking aid?

Uneven outdoor surfaces can be particularly challenging for someone with reduced balance, weakness, or difficulty lifting their feet when walking.

What might help:

Repair uneven or damaged pathways where possible
Remove moss, leaves, or other slippery materials regularly
Keep bins, plant pots, and other items away from walking routes
Trim overgrown plants that narrow pathways
Consider creating a wider, clearer route if someone uses a walking frame or other mobility aid
Add contrasting markings or improved visibility where edges or changes in level are difficult to see

Let's look at the difference

Uneven paving, overgrown grass and cluttered plant pots create trip hazards and make it harder to reach the front door safely.

A smooth, level path, clear walking route and a handrail provide better support, improve confidence and make entering and leaving the home easier and safer.

Steps, Kerbs and Changes in Level

Changes in height can become more difficult if someone’s balance, strength, or confidence has changed.

Things to consider:

Are steps easy to see?
Are handrails available where needed?
Are steps a suitable height and depth?
Is there a safer alternative route available?
Does the person feel confident using them?

A step that seems small to one person may be a significant challenge for someone who has reduced strength, balance, or confidence.

What might help:

Ensure handrails are secure and easy to grip
Improve lighting around steps
Use contrasting colours or markings to make step edges easier to see
Remove clutter from steps
Consider whether an alternative entrance could be used
Explore adaptations such as ramps or level access solutions where appropriate

Let's look at the difference

The entrance has two steps with no handrails. While this may have been manageable for years, climbing the steps can become more difficult as balance, strength, or confidence changes. Without something to hold onto, there is a greater risk of losing balance when going in or out of the home.

Handrails have been fitted on both sides of the steps, providing support when stepping up or down. This can improve balance, increase confidence, and make entering and leaving the home safer. Having a rail on each side also allows people to use both hands for support if needed, making the entrance easier to manage as mobility changes.

Doorways and Thresholds

Doorways are often areas where people need to slow down, turn, step over a threshold, or manage a door at the same time.

Things to consider:

Are door thresholds raised or difficult to step over?
Is there enough space to open and close the door safely?
Can the person stand securely while unlocking the door?
Can they manage the door while carrying items?
Can they manoeuvre safely if using a walking aid?

These challenges can be especially important when returning home with shopping bags or when using a walking aid.

What might help:

Remove or reduce unnecessary trip hazards at thresholds where possible
Improve space around the doorway to allow safer turning and movement
Consider changing door hardware if handles or locks are difficult to use
Create a safe place to put bags before opening the door
Consider whether an alternative entrance is easier to use
Seek advice before making structural changes to ensure they meet the person’s needs

Let's look at the difference

The entrance has a half-moon step that requires stepping up and down to enter the home. This can be difficult for someone with reduced balance, strength, or mobility, particularly if they use a walking aid or wheelchair.

The step has been replaced with a gently sloped ramp and handrails on both sides, creating a safer and more accessible entrance. The ramp removes the need to step up, while the handrails provide extra support and stability, helping reduce the risk of falls and making it easier to enter and leave the home with greater confidence and independence.

Lighting

Good lighting helps people see hazards and move with confidence.

Things to consider:

Is the entrance well lit?
Can the person see steps and pathways clearly?
Is lighting available when returning home after dark?
Are switches or controls easy to access?
Are there areas where shadows make it difficult to see?

Lighting is particularly important as vision changes and when moving between bright outdoor areas and darker indoor spaces.

What might help:

Add lighting around entrances, steps, and pathways
Use motion-activated lights where helpful
Replace dim bulbs with brighter, suitable lighting
Keep light switches easy to reach
Consider lighting near key areas such as the front door, garage, or pathway
Reduce glare where possible, as glare can also make it harder to see clearly

Let's look at the difference

The entrance is poorly lit, making it harder to see the step and doorway, especially in the evening or during winter. Low lighting can make it more difficult to judge changes in level and increase the risk of trips or falls.

Brighter lighting and handrails on both sides of the step make the entrance safer and easier to use. Better lighting helps people clearly see where they are stepping, while the handrails provide extra support and confidence when entering or leaving the home, particularly at night.

Carrying items

Everyday tasks can become more difficult when walking and carrying something at the same time.

Things to consider:

Can the person safely carry shopping bags?
Do they need one hand free for a walking stick or rail?
Is there somewhere to place items when unlocking the door?
Would a different approach make the task easier?

Sometimes the safest solution is not changing

the environment, but changing how the activity is completed.

What might help:

Use smaller bags that are easier to carry
Consider using a trolley for shopping
Place a chair, shelf, or surface near the entrance to put items down
Arrange deliveries or ask for help with heavier items
Carry fewer items at one time
Plan the task so the person is not rushing or carrying items while managing steps

OT Thought

A fall is not simply a sign that someone is “unsafe”.

It is information.

It tells us there may be a mismatch somewhere between the person, their environment, or the activity — and that is where solutions can be found.

💡

Let's look at the difference

Carrying heavy shopping bags while stepping up to the door can make it harder to keep your balance. Without a place to put the bags down, opening the door and managing the step at the same time can increase the risk of a fall.

A wall-to-floor rail provides support while stepping up to the door. A small table beside the entrance gives you a place to put shopping bags before opening the door, making it easier and safer to get inside.

When extra support may help

Consider seeking advice if someone:

Has fallen outdoors or is worried about falling
Avoids leaving the house because of confidence or safety concerns
Finds steps, thresholds, or doorways increasingly difficult
Has had a change in mobility, balance, or physical ability
Is struggling to use their walking aid safely at home

An Occupational Therapist can assess how the person, their home, and their daily activities fit together and help identify solutions that support independence.

OT Thought

The goal isn't just to prevent a fall.

It's to help someone keep doing the things they enjoy—visiting family, going shopping, meeting friends, and returning home safely each day.

💡

Access and Outdoors

What to consider

Pathways and Ground Surfaces

Things to consider:

What might help:

Let's look at the difference

Steps, Kerbs and Changes in Level

Things to consider:

What might help:

Let's look at the difference

Doorways and Thresholds

Things to consider:

What might help:

Let's look at the difference

Lighting

Things to consider:

What might help:

Let's look at the difference

Carrying items

Things to consider:

What might help:

OT Thought

Let's look at the difference

When extra support may help

OT Thought

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Access and Outdoors

What to consider

Pathways and Ground Surfaces

Things to consider:

What might help:

Let's look at the difference

​​​When extra support may help

OT Thought

Socials coming soon :)

Disclaimer

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Terms of Sale

When extra support may help