Home Safety Assessments And Evaluations
Written by Craig B

2023 Home Safety Assessments And Evaluations

As we age, there is no doubt in our hearts we feel young. And although being young at heart is wonderful, this ethereal feeling is no match for the ever-changing state of our bodies and the status of our health.

The changes that take place with our health that can dramatically affect our ability to navigate our home environment safely. Although falls are not necessarily a part of aging, 40% of nursing home admissions are due to slip and fall accidents. These accidents can affect the course of our ability to be independent and live quality lives at home.

Of course, walking around in bubble wrap to keep from falling in your home is not a doable solution – it’s hot, unsightly, and frankly not a fashion stopper. Many individuals elect to do nothing, feeling invincible. This denial can lead to unexpected accidents, which then brings you into crisis mode. However, seeking preventative solutions in advance of a potential crisis, is the best way to stay safe while aging at home. Intervention IS prevention.

At the top of your list should be a home safety assessment. The American and British Geriatric Societies report, “Multi-factorial risk assessment and intervention strategies are effective in decreasing the rates of falls and have a similar risk reduction to that of other prevention measures such as statins for cardiovascular disease”.

What can I expect from a home safety assessment? Who will evaluate my environment? What happens following the assessment?

Our physical therapist provides a home safety assessment. During the assessment, not only will you be evaluated navigating your home environment, but the environment itself will be evaluated for safety hazards in a variety of rooms – including the bathroom, where falls occur most frequently in the home.

The therapist will make clinical recommendations based on your individual diagnosis or physical limitations to ensure optimal fall prevention safety outcomes, customized for you in your space.

We complete the process by providing and clinically installing all needed items. We provide a warranty for all of our products and services, and we are licensed, bonded and insured.

You may not have concerns about falling now, but denying that it’s a possibility puts you at greater risk. Once injuries occur from falls, often there is no turning back. Protect your health, independence and future, scheduled your clinically guided home safety assessment.

A home safety assessment is a process of evaluating your home to identify and eliminate potential hazards. It is usually performed by a licensed health-care professional, such as an occupational therapist or medical social worker. The assessment will typically cover the following areas:

  • Fall hazards: This includes things like uneven flooring, loose rugs, and poor lighting.
  • Fire hazards: This includes things like faulty electrical wiring, blocked fire exits, and flammable materials.
  • Poisoning hazards: This includes things like medications, cleaning products, and poisonous plants.
  • Drowning hazards: This includes things like pools, hot tubs, and bathtubs.
  • Unsafe appliances: This includes things like malfunctioning stoves, refrigerators, and ovens.
  • Accessibility issues: This includes things like narrow doorways, high countertops, and steps without handrails.

The home safety assessor will use a checklist to assess your home and will make recommendations for making it safer. These recommendations may include things like installing grab bars, removing clutter, and fixing faulty electrical wiring.

Here are some of the steps involved in a home safety assessment:

  1. The assessor will introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the assessment.
  2. They will ask you about your health and any specific concerns you have about your home safety.
  3. They will walk around your home and look for potential hazards.
  4. They will make recommendations for making your home safer.
  5. They will provide you with information on how to implement the recommendations.

A home safety assessment can be a valuable tool for preventing injuries and accidents. If you are concerned about the safety of your home, I recommend getting a home safety assessment.

How Often Should You Have A Home Safety Assessment?

  • Ask your doctor or other healthcare provider for a referral.
  • Check with your local government or aging services agency to see if they offer free or low-cost home safety assessments.
  • You can also hire a private home safety assessor.

The cost of a home safety assessment will vary depending on the size of your home and the complexity of the assessment. However, it is a worthwhile investment to help keep you and your family safe.

The frequency of home safety assessments depends on a number of factors, including your age, health, and living situation. However, a good rule of thumb is to have a home safety assessment every 2-3 years.

If you are elderly or have a disability, you may need to have a home safety assessment more often. This is because you are more likely to be at risk of falls, injuries, and other accidents.

If you have recently made any changes to your home, such as adding new furniture or appliances, you should also have a home safety assessment. This is to ensure that the changes do not create any new hazards.

Even if you are young and healthy, it is a good idea to have a home safety assessment every few years. This is because hazards can develop over time, even if you are not aware of them.

Here are some signs that you may need a home safety assessment:

  • You have fallen or had an accident in your home.
  • You have difficulty walking or moving around.
  • You have vision or hearing problems.
  • You have difficulty using stairs or getting in and out of bathtubs or showers.
  • You have young children or pets.
  • You have recently made changes to your home.

Who Performs Home Safety Assessments?

There are a number of professionals who can perform home safety assessments, including:

  • Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists are trained to assess the safety of homes for people with disabilities or mobility issues. They can identify hazards and make recommendations for modifications to make the home more accessible and safe.
  • Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs): CSPs are professionals who have been certified by the National Safety Council to perform home safety assessments. They have a wide range of knowledge and experience in identifying and eliminating hazards in the home.
  • Home inspectors: Home inspectors are typically licensed and insured professionals who inspect homes for a variety of issues, including safety hazards. They can provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your home’s safety.
  • Aging services agencies: Many aging services agencies offer home safety assessments to older adults and their caregivers. These agencies can provide you with free or low-cost assessments and can help you make modifications to your home to make it safer.
  • Insurance companies: Some insurance companies offer home safety assessments as a free service to their customers. These assessments can help you identify hazards that could increase your risk of a claim.

If you are interested in getting a home safety assessment, I recommend contacting a few different professionals to get quotes and compare their services. You should also ask about their experience and qualifications.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when choosing a home safety assessor:

  • Make sure the assessor is qualified and experienced.
  • Ask about the assessor’s fees and what is included in the assessment.
  • Get everything in writing, including the assessor’s findings and recommendations.
  • Be prepared to make some changes to your home based on the assessor’s recommendations.

What Happens Following A Home Safety Assessment?

Following a home safety assessment, the assessor will provide you with a written report that includes their findings and recommendations. The report will typically be divided into two sections:

  • The first section will list the hazards that were identified during the assessment.
  • The second section will list the recommendations for making your home safer.

The recommendations may include things like:

  • Installing grab bars in bathrooms and near stairways.
  • Removing clutter from walkways and stairs.
  • Replacing old or faulty electrical wiring.
  • Installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Making modifications to your home to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

The assessor may also be able to provide you with resources to help you implement the recommendations. These resources may include:

  • Lists of contractors who can make the necessary modifications to your home.
  • Financial assistance programs that can help you pay for the modifications.
  • Information on how to get help from family and friends.

It is important to note that the recommendations in the report are just that – recommendations. You are free to accept or reject any of the recommendations. However, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of each recommendation before making a decision.

If you decide to implement the recommendations, the assessor may be able to help you get started. They may be able to provide you with specific instructions or connect you with a contractor who can make the necessary modifications.

It is also important to remember that a home safety assessment is just a snapshot in time. The hazards in your home can change over time, so it is important to have your home reassessed periodically. This will help you identify any new hazards and make sure that your home remains safe.

Here are some additional tips for following up on a home safety assessment:

  • Read the report carefully and make sure you understand the findings and recommendations.
  • Talk to the assessor about any questions you have.
  • Get started on implementing the recommendations as soon as possible.
  • Schedule a follow-up assessment in 1-2 years to make sure that the recommendations have been implemented and that your home is still safe.

Related Posts

Installing Safety Grab Bars

Installing safety grab bars can be a relatively straightforward DIY project, but it's important to ensure their proper installation for safety and functionality. Here's what you need to know: Before you begin: Planning and Location: Identify the user's needs: Consider their height, strength, and specific requirements when choosing locations and types of grab bars. Choose the [...]

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) and Physical Therapy

Read on to learn more about functional capacity evaluations and physical therapy. Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs): What are they? An FCE is a set of tests administered by a qualified professional (usually a physical or occupational therapist) to assess your ability to perform daily activities and job-related tasks. What do they involve? These tests typically include: History [...]

What Is A Disability Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) Test?

A Disability Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by healthcare professionals, often occupational therapists or physical therapists, to evaluate an individual's physical and functional abilities. The primary purpose of an FCE is to assess how an individual's health condition, injury, or disability affects their capacity to perform various tasks and activities, particularly [...]

Home Safety Assessments And Evaluations
Written by Craig B

Home Safety Assessments And Evaluations

As we age, there is no doubt in our hearts we feel young. And although being young at heart is wonderful, this ethereal feeling is no match for the ever-changing state of our bodies and the status of our health.

The changes that take place with our health that can dramatically affect our ability to navigate our home environment safely. Although falls are not necessarily a part of aging, 40% of nursing home admissions are due to slip and fall accidents. These accidents can affect the course of our ability to be independent and live quality lives at home.

Of course, walking around in bubble wrap to keep from falling in your home is not a doable solution – it’s hot, unsightly, and frankly not a fashion stopper. Many individuals elect to do nothing, feeling invincible. This denial can lead to unexpected accidents, which then brings you into crisis mode. However, seeking preventative solutions in advance of a potential crisis, is the best way to stay safe while aging at home. Intervention IS prevention.

At the top of your list should be a home safety assessment. The American and British Geriatric Societies report, “Multi-factorial risk assessment and intervention strategies are effective in decreasing the rates of falls and have a similar risk reduction to that of other prevention measures such as statins for cardiovascular disease”.

What can I expect from a home safety assessment? Who will evaluate my environment? What happens following the assessment?

Our physical therapist provides a home safety assessment. During the assessment, not only will you be evaluated navigating your home environment, but the environment itself will be evaluated for safety hazards in a variety of rooms – including the bathroom, where falls occur most frequently in the home.

The therapist will make clinical recommendations based on your individual diagnosis or physical limitations to ensure optimal fall prevention safety outcomes, customized for you in your space.

We complete the process by providing and clinically installing all needed items. We provide a warranty for all of our products and services, and we are licensed, bonded and insured.

You may not have concerns about falling now, but denying that it’s a possibility puts you at greater risk. Once injuries occur from falls, often there is no turning back. Protect your health, independence and future, scheduled your clinically guided home safety assessment.

Related Posts

Written by Brian B

Best Non-Slip Shower Floor Tiles

Finding the best non-slip shower floor tiles can be a tough task. There are many choices when looking for flooring, but these four options are the top slip-resistant styles available for purchase.

Non-Slip Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is one of the best non-slip options on the market. There are many benefits to adding this surface to your bathroom area. For starters, vinyl flooring is one of the easiest to maintain, with its resistance to water and stain damage. If a slip does occur, vinyl flooring is well-equipped to break a fall. Vinyl has built-in padding, which will minimize any harm to your body.

An additional benefit to vinyl flooring is its price. Vinyl is one of the more affordable options in today’s marketplace. Its versatility is very appealing to customers, as well. Vinyl can be made to look like wood, ceramic tile, or various other types of popular flooring styles.

Ceramic/Porcelain Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile are extremely popular flooring types. The biggest pro for both ceramic and porcelain is the smooth surfaces both provide. The possibility of tripping is rare, but slips cannot be avoided at times. The good news is several manufacturers now offer slip-resistant ceramic and porcelain styles.

If the slip-resistant styles prove too costly, simply adding a carpet or mat to the flooring is a very practical option. Adding the extra carpeting will help decrease the risk of slipping on your brand new ceramic or porcelain tile.

Carpet Flooring

Of course, if you prefer to go in a different direction from the porcelain or ceramic tiles, carpet flooring can be a solution. Carpet flooring was wildly popular into the 1970s, while being paired with carpeting in the bedroom. The biggest benefit of choosing carpeting is its versatility. Customers are able to choose from a variety of material types and colors.

Did we mention that carpet absorbs moisture well, obviously? That is one of the biggest benefits of carpet flooring, but it leads to one of the only drawbacks, as well. Carpeting needs time to dry out to prevent mold and mildew.

Glass Flooring

The beauty of glass flooring is this style’s main appeal. Glass flooring has long been a popular upscale option for home bathrooms. This style is more durable than most other styles, and the design options are seemingly endless.

While glass flooring may look the most appealing to the eye, this style is not the best for slip resistance. Glass flooring can be especially dangerous for the elderly. As is the case with ceramic and porcelain tiles though, a simple carpet covering can fix this issue.

Home Safety Assessments And Evaluations
Written by webtechs

Young At Heart, But Not Physically – When Denial Gets In The Way Of Safety

As we age, there is no doubt in our hearts we feel young. And although being young at heart is wonderful, this ethereal feeling is no match for the ever-changing state of our bodies and the status of our health.

The changes that take place with our health that can dramatically affect our ability to navigate our home environment safely. Although falls are not necessarily a part of aging, 40% of nursing home admissions are due to slip and fall accidents. These accidents can affect the course of our ability to be independent and live quality lives at home.

Of course, walking around in bubble wrap to keep from falling in your home is not a doable solution – it’s hot, unsightly, and frankly not a fashion stopper. Many individuals elect to do nothing, feeling invincible. This denial can lead to unexpected accidents, which then brings you into crisis mode. However, seeking preventative solutions in advance of a potential crisis, is the best way to stay safe while aging at home. Intervention IS prevention.

At the top of your list should be a home safety assessment. The American and British Geriatric Societies report, “Multi-factorial risk assessment and intervention strategies are effective in decreasing the rates of falls and have a similar risk reduction to that of other prevention measures such as statins for cardiovascular disease”.

What can I expect from a home safety assessment? Who will evaluate my environment? What happens following the assessment?

Our physical therapist provides a home safety assessment. During the assessment, not only will you be evaluated navigating your home environment, but the environment itself will be evaluated for safety hazards in a variety of rooms – including the bathroom, where falls occur most frequently in the home.

The therapist will make clinical recommendations based on your individual diagnosis or physical limitations to ensure optimal fall prevention safety outcomes, customized for you in your space.

We complete the process by providing and clinically installing all needed items. We provide a warranty for all of our products and services, and we are licensed, bonded and insured.

You may not have concerns about falling now, but denying that it’s a possibility puts you at greater risk. Once injuries occur from falls, often there is no turning back. Protect your health, independence and future, scheduled your clinically guided home safety assessment.

Related Posts

Written by webtechs

The Risks of Returning to Work Early Following an Injury

The Risks of Returning to Work Early Following an Injury

The potential effects of early return-to-work without appropriate physical restrictions can be devastating.

All too often, I hear stories of individuals being released back to work following an injury or illness before they are ready. Frequently, these people are victims of systematic pressure, i.e., someone is trying to control claims costs at the expense of their health.

Many times, the individual is released prematurely or inappropriately due to a doctor’s unfamiliarity with the return-to-work form or the physician just doesn’t have the time or resources to test function and fill the form out correctly.

This potentially puts the individual in harm’s way – especially if the appropriate physical work restrictions aren’t in place. Not all employers offer “modified or light duty” assignments that allow employees to come back to work while they heal and gradually progress back to full duty.

Without the appropriate work restrictions in place when an employee returns to work, they may be required to perform work tasks that put them at risk of re-injury or re-aggravation of their condition.

No one wins in this scenario. The employer is at risk of losing their valuable employee and the individual is at risk of developing a chronic condition.

Workplace interventions for preventing needless work disability start with an accurate understanding of what an individual’s true functional abilities are, and one of the most reliable ways to determine a person’s true functional capacity for return to work is through objective functional testing.

Related Posts