Aging in Place Home Safety: what a handyman does
A handyman can fix many fall hazards at home: loose handrails, uneven steps, dim hallways, curled thresholds and grab bars anchored into studs. Deciding what a person needs belongs to an occupational therapist or doctor, and wiring or plumbing changes go to licensed trades. We install what you or your therapist specify.
Jobs we take on
Tap one to add it to your list.
- Re-anchor loose handrails and add a rail on the second side of the stairs
- Mount grab bars into studs beside and inside the tub and next to the toilet
- Tighten or replace loose, uneven or cracked steps and treads
- Attach stair carpet firmly or add non-slip treads
- Lower, replace or taper a raised or curled door threshold
- Swap round door knobs for lever handles that are easier on stiff hands
- Add plug-in nightlights and replace bulbs along the path from bed to bathroom
- Secure cords along walls and fix throw rugs with non-slip backing or tape
Signs it is time to call
- A handrail that moves or flexes when you grip it
- A step that rocks, a cracked tread, or stair carpet that has come loose
- A threshold or rug edge that catches a shoe, cane or walker
- A tub or toilet with no wall support nearby, only a towel bar
- Hallways or stairs dim enough that someone hesitates after dark
What is not a handyman job
Deciding what a particular person needs goes to an occupational therapist or doctor. Enhaus does not give medical or occupational assessments. Electricians handle stair lighting, switches and outlets, and plumbers handle curbless showers and fixtures. Ramps, stair lifts, wider doorways and wall changes are contractor or specialist jobs, and a permit may apply.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- We look at each hazard in person and ask you or your therapist for any measurements or bar locations.
- If a grab bar needs a stud that is not there, we tell you before starting, because the wall may need to be opened.
- We flag anything that belongs to a licensed electrician or plumber rather than working around it.
- We clean up the work area when the job is done.
Common questions
Can you put a grab bar anywhere in the bathroom?
Only where the wall can hold it. AARP's HomeFit guide says a grab bar should be fastened to a wall surface backed by a stud, and that suction-cup bars and towel bars are not substitutes. If no stud sits where the bar belongs, the wall may need reinforcement first.
Do I need to fix everything on a home safety checklist?
No. The National Institute on Aging says to go room by room, fix immediate dangers first, and notes you may not need every change on a list. Recheck as needs change. An occupational therapist can tell you which changes fit the person.
Can you install stair lights or add outlets?
No. The CDC checklist says to have an electrician install overhead lights, switches at the top and bottom of stairs, or an outlet where cords cross a walkway. We can do the carpentry and patching around that work and hand off the wiring to a licensed electrician.
What should I send before a visit?
Photos of the stairs, rails, bathroom walls and thresholds, plus a list by room. The CDC's Check for Safety checklist works well as a worksheet. If an occupational therapist has given recommendations or bar locations, send those notes too.