Fall Risk Home Audit — Is Your Home Safe as You Age?

Fall Risk Home Audit

Falls are the #1 cause of injury death in Americans over 65. Most happen at home. Most are preventable. Answer 12 questions about your home right now and get your risk score.

A dim hallway with a patterned runner rug on a polished wood floor and a thin black cord running from a wall outlet across the floor and over the edge of the rug

Nothing in this hallway is broken. A cord run to the nearest outlet, a runner nobody has fastened down, and a floor polished enough to show the doorway in it — three separate answers on the audit above, sitting in one photograph of a house anybody would call tidy. The hazard is never the thing you would have noticed.

Home Safety Audit — Answer Each Question

Answer honestly about your home right now — not how you plan to fix it. You'll receive a risk score and a prioritized list of what to address first.

One risk factor this audit cannot measure, and it is a large one. In a study comparing eighty-three older adults who had fallen with eighty-three who had not, it was contrast sensitivity and depth perception — not sharpness — that separated the two groups, and the same review found fewer than half of falls clinics assess vision at all. The vision page covers what to do about it.

I have read and agree to the Terms of Use, including the calculator disclaimer and the binding arbitration and class-action waiver. I understand that all results are planning estimates only, are not medical or safety determinations, and that I use them at my own risk.

Your priority action list:

General awareness tool only. This audit identifies common fall hazards based on CDC and AARP home safety guidelines. It does not constitute a professional home safety assessment. For a comprehensive evaluation, contact a Certified Aging in Place Specializt (CAPS) or occupational therapist. Individual risk factors vary — consult your physician about your personal fall risk. More on home and property security →

Common Questions

What is the #1 cause of injury death in Americans over 65?

Falls. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older adults. Every year, 3 million older adults are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries. One in five falls causes a serious injury* — a broken bone or head injury. Hip fractures from falls are a leading cause of loss of independence in adults over 70.

What are the most important fall prevention modifications?

In order of impact: (1) Grab bars next to every toilet and in every shower — bolted into studs, not suction cups. (2) Adequate lighting in all hallways, bathrooms, and stairways — especially motion-activated night lights. (3) Removal of throw rugs and tripping hazards. Including the dog, its bowls and its toys → (4) Non-slip mats in bathrooms. (5) Handrails on both sides of all stairways. These five modifications address the majority of home fall risks.

How much does it cost to fall-proof a home?

Basic fall-proofing — grab bars, night lights, non-slip mats, and removing throw rugs — costs under $300 and can be done in a weekend. A full renovation including comfort-height toilet, walk-in shower, and stairlift runs $5,000–25,000 depending on scope. Do the cheap things this weekend. Plan the bigger projects now while you have time and income to choose right.

What is a Certified Aging in Place Specializt?

A CAPS-certified professional (typically a contractor, occupational therapist, or designer) has completed training from the National Association of Home Builders specifically in home modifications for aging in place. They can assess your home and recommend modifications based on your specific mobility and health situation. Find one at nahb.org.