Home Safety for Older Adults: A Comprehensive Guide

schematic of the interior of a house

by Miranda M. Riva for NCOA

As we age, our homes should continue to be a place where we feel safe, secure, and comfortable. But research shows the exact opposite is sometimes true. A 2014 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found 28.7% of adults over the age of 65 reported falling at least once in the last 12 months. Another study by the Hospital for Special Surgery found 60% of falls happen in the home. To help prevent falls and other accidents, you can make safety modifications to your environment and eliminate common hazards.

NCOA Reviews Team assembled a guide and checklist highlighting home safety tips and helpful devices to ensure your home, or your loved one’s home, continues to be a safe environment for aging in place. The checklist considers the following:

  • Emergency help
  • Interior home safety
  • Exterior home safety
  • Products for aging in place
  • Home safety modifications

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