Free Tool · Home Safety
Home Safety Assessment for Seniors
Walk through your home room by room — identify fall hazards, get personalized fix recommendations, and find adaptive equipment to keep your loved one safe at home longer.
6 rooms covered
Bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, stairs, exterior
Hazard scoring
Instant risk level: low, moderate, or high
Fix recommendations
Prioritized with product links where relevant
Home Safety Assessment
Are grab bars installed next to the toilet and in the shower or tub?
Is there a non-slip mat or treads in the tub or shower?
Is the shower or tub a walk-in or roll-in design (no high threshold to step over)?
Is there a shower chair or tub seat available?
Is there a nightlight or adequate lighting in the bathroom?
Are all bathroom rugs removed or secured with non-slip backing?
Answer all questions in this room to continue
Why home safety matters — the fall facts
1 in 4
adults 65+ fall each year in the US — falls are the leading cause of injury death in this age group
$50B+
annual cost of fall-related injuries in the US, borne by Medicare, Medicaid, and families
80%
of falls occur at home — and the vast majority are preventable with simple environmental modifications
Sources: CDC STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) program, 2024 data.
Frequently asked questions
What does this home safety assessment cover?▾
The assessment covers six areas of the home: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, stairs and entry, and exterior. In each room, you answer yes/no questions about common fall hazards and safety features. The tool then scores your home and generates prioritized recommendations specific to the hazards identified — including grab bars, lighting, rug removal, medical alert devices, and mobility aids.
Who should do a home safety assessment?▾
Any senior living at home (or their family caregiver) should do a home safety walkthrough at least annually — or whenever there is a change in health status, mobility, or cognition. Key moments to reassess: after a fall (even a minor one), after a hospitalization, after a dementia diagnosis, after starting a new medication that affects balance or alertness, and when a senior moves to a new home.
What is the most important home safety modification for fall prevention?▾
Bathroom modifications are consistently the highest-impact intervention. Grab bars in the shower and next to the toilet address the #1 location for senior falls. Research shows that bathroom grab bars reduce fall-related injuries by up to 40% for seniors who use them consistently. Non-slip mats and shower chairs are important secondary modifications in the same space.
Does Medicare cover home safety modifications?▾
Traditional Medicare does not cover home modifications like grab bars, ramps, or stair lifts — these are considered home improvements, not medical expenses. However, certain Medicare Advantage plans include a 'home modification benefit' that can cover these items. Medicaid HCBS waivers in most states include home modification benefits (grab bars, ramps, widened doorways) for eligible seniors as part of a care plan. VA benefits can also cover home modifications for eligible veterans.
Should I hire an occupational therapist for a home safety assessment?▾
Yes — for seniors with significant mobility limitations, cognitive impairment, recent falls, or complex home layouts, a professional assessment by a licensed occupational therapist (OT) is strongly recommended. OTs are trained specifically in home safety for seniors and can identify hazards that a checklist might miss, recommend adaptive equipment, and train seniors and caregivers in safe home navigation. Many OTs bill Medicare Part B for home safety assessments when ordered by a physician.
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