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Home SafetyUpdated August 2026 · 9 min read
Most elderly falls in Singapore happen at home — and most are preventable. This room-by-room guide covers the specific hazards in a typical Singapore HDB flat, the modifications that address each one, and which government subsidies (AIC SMF and HDB EASE) help pay for them.
Use this as a checklist: walk through each room with your elderly parent and tick off what's already in place. Start with the bathroom — it is responsible for the majority of home falls.
Wet floors, physical effort of sitting and standing, confined space. Responsible for the majority of elderly falls at home.
Subsidy eligible: AIC SMFHDB EASE
Night-time disorientation, low blood pressure when rising, and reaching for items are the main hazards.
Subsidy eligible: AIC SMF (bed rail, fall detection)
Reaching overhead, bending to low cupboards, and wet floors near the sink are the main hazards.
Thresholds, uneven surfaces, and the transition from outside to inside (wet shoes on tile) are common hazards.
Subsidy eligible: HDB EASE (ramp, handrail)
Typically safer, but furniture arrangement and seating height matter more than most caregivers realise.
Two schemes cover most home safety modifications. Use both — they are separate programmes and can be combined:
| Scheme | Covers | Max subsidy | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIC SMF | Devices you purchase (walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, fall detection) — not grab bars | Up to 90% | SC/PR aged 60+ or disability, income-tested |
| HDB EASE | Installation (grab bars, ramps, anti-slip floor, handrails) | Up to 95% (capped S$2,500) | HDB flat owner, SC, resident aged 65+ |
Under S$60 buys the three things that matter most: an anti-slip mat, a suction-free grab bar fitted properly, and a shower chair.
Anti-slip mats start around S$2, shower chairs from about S$16, and a wall-fixed grab bar from roughly S$9 plus fitting. Do not buy suction-cup grab bars for weight bearing — they fail without warning. Before spending anything, check EASE: an HDB household pays as little as S$26.15 for a full first set of professionally installed grab bars, which is cheaper and safer than doing it yourself.
Tell HomeWise your loved one's situation and living environment — we'll recommend the right products room by room, flag subsidy eligibility, and build a 30-day setup checklist.
Build My Safety Plan →