Empowering Independence through Home Modifications: How Accessible is Your Home?

As the holiday season winds down and we enter a period of enjoying the cozy indoors over the chilly winter months, it is the perfect time to reflect on the accessibility of our living spaces. Was your home safe and accessible for family visiting over the holidays? Did any of your guests require intentional modifications to make your home not only festive, but accessible? Being mindful of small changes to make our homes more universally accessible can have a huge impact on preventing falls for you and your loved ones, and the new year is a perfect opportunity to consider modifications in your own home.

Although the risk of fall-related injury increases as we age, falls are NOT a normal part of aging. There are many small things that can be done to increase safety in the home and to reduce the risk of falls for everyone who lives in and visits your home.

Unintentional falls are the leading cause of preventable injury and death for adults over age 65. This leads to higher healthcare costs, a higher prevalence of skilled nursing facility placement, and can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall mobility and quality of life. The number of fall-related deaths continues to rise each year, and most of those falls happen at home. According to the most recent data available from the CDC, Indiana reported 311,206 older adult falls in 2020 alone and 3 million fall-related emergency room visits.

As a home modification specialist, I’ve spent the majority of my professional life surrounded by data and statistics related to fall prevention. I work with individuals to assess their homes and create personalized safety and accessibility plans, in addition to facilitating fall prevention discussions and workshops. My days are spent working with individuals to find resources for modifications to their homes that help them age in place in their own communities for as long as they are able.  

Despite that daily experience, as I take the time to look around my own home, I see fall hazards all around me. Hazards that are easy to remove and leave me thinking “I should know better.”  Are there handrails at my front entrance? Nope. Do I have clutter on my stairs? Absolutely.  These hazards can lead to falls and serious injury, and I know that with a small amount of effort, I can create a much safer environment for myself and my family.

For most of us, the need to modify homes for accessibility is an afterthought. We scramble to find resources after a fall, or an injury forces us to think about it and adapt. I encourage all of you (and myself) to use the checklist below to walk through your own home and identify a change that you can make to increase your home’s safety and accessibility. 

Check Household Lighting

• Replace dim bulbs with brighter LED lights

• Install nightlights in hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms for safe ambulation at night

• Add motion-sensor lighting in high traffic areas

• Ensure stairways, laundry rooms and entrances are well-lit

Reduce Trip Hazards

• Remove throw rugs or secure loose rugs with rug tape or a non-slip mat 

• Clear clutter from walkways

• Tape down electrical cords and ensure that they are not crossing walkways

• Place non-slip mats by sinks and pet bowls where spills are likely to occur

• Make sure stairs are free of clutter and have secure handrails

Increase Safety in the Bathroom

• Install grab bars in shower area

• Add nonslip mats or strips inside and outside of shower area

• Make sure the toilet is a comfortable height (consider grab bars or a raised toilet seat if needed!)

• Use a shower seat or tub bench if standing and balance are difficult

• Consider a hand-held shower head if seated to ensure it is easy to reach during bathing

Check safety of entrances and exits

• Monitor outdoor steps for cracks and chips in concrete that can create trip hazards

• Install or secure handrails at entrances

• Ensure adequate lighting at entrances for better visibility

• Trim back overgrown bushes and plants that may obstruct walkway

By taking a few moments to review this checklist, you can make meaningful changes that enhance safety and accessibility in your home. Many of these modifications are simple, low-cost, or even free, yet they can significantly reduce fall risks.

This winter season, let’s prioritize the safety of our homes and the well-being of our loved ones. A few proactive steps can help reduce risk of falls and injury and create an accessible space for all. Here’s to a safe and joyful winter season!

What can I do if I need additional support?

• If you’re unsure where to start or need help with finding resources home modifications, reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. They can provide information and resources tailored to your region. Information for your area can be found here: IAAA-Map-for-1-19-18.pdf

• Many Medicare and Medicaid plans will cover home safety equipment such as shower chairs, grab bars and toilet safety frames with an order from your physician. Make sure that you discuss any falls and challenges in your home with your doctor during routine visits!

• Look for evidence-based community programs such as Stepping On or Bingocize to learn more about fall prevention. More information about Stepping On and where to find available classes can be found by following this link: https://www.in.gov/health/trauma-system/injury-prevention/falls-prevention/

Resources:

1. Indiana Department of Health. Trauma systems: Injury prevention – Falls prevention. https://www.in.gov/health/trauma-system/injury-prevention/falls-prevention/

2. Indiana Department of Health. Older adult falls in Indiana [PDF]. https://www.in.gov/health/trauma-system/files/Older_Adult_Falls_SER.pdf

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older adult falls data by state. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html#cdc_data_surveillance_section_2-older-adult-falls-reported-by-state

4. Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. Stepping On. https://wihealthyaging.org/programs/falls-prevention-programs/stepping-on/

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older adult fall facts. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

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Emily McAndrews is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist with experience coordinating home assessments and modifications to promote fall prevention and education in the community. Emily has a passion for helping to support anyone with the tools needed to safely age in place in their own community. 

Emily lives in Indianapolis with her family and way too many pets and trip hazards. She enjoys hiking, any time that can be spent outdoors, good food and spontaneous road trips.

Summit Managed Solutions is a management consulting and professional services firm that partners with healthcare organizations across the private, public, and social sectors to create value. By providing comprehensive solution management and inclusive business operation services, Summit helps deliver specific, transformative outcomes. With consulting and managed service offerings, Summit helps partners overcome the critical challenges associated with people, process, and technology, while providing partners with flexibility, reliability, and innovation that will propel growth.