ADVANCING IN-HOME SAFETY
CHECKS
EMILY NABORS, MSG
Program Manager
USC Leonard Davis School of
Gerontology
emily[email protected]u
FALL PREVENTION CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
• Applied Research
• Information Dissemination
• Professional Education
& Training
GROWTH IN AGING POPULATION
In 2017:
• 65+ pop. = 15.2% of
U.S. population
(48 million)
By 2060:
• U.S. 65+ pop. projected
to double to 98 million
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates and
Projections From: A Profile of Older Americans, 2016,
Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HOUSING STOCK NOT MEETING
DEMAND
38% households 65+
include at least 1
person living with a
disability
Rate increases to
>44% among very
low-income older
households
Only 1% of housing
has 5 key universal
design features
Source: Bipartisan Policy Center, Healthy Aging Begins at Home, 2016
HOME MODIFICATION AND MOWA
• Key position to educate,
assess, refer
• Shared Goal:
Keep older adults safe
and supported in their
homes!
Image: https://clipartxtras.com/
ROLE OF HOME MODIFICATION IN
FALL PREVENTION
WHAT IS HOME MODIFICATION?
HOME MODIFICATION PROCESS
• Assessment
• Identify problems
• Set priorities
• Specify solutions
• Select products
• Secure funding
• Choose providers
• Install modifications
• Insure quality and assess
effectiveness
BEST PRACTICE
Interaction between the individual
and their environment
Source: Eskaton, CA,
https://www.livabledesign.com/
SELECTING AN ASSESSMENT
What to consider when selecting an
assessment tool?
FOCUS: Environment, person, or both (activities)
POPULATION: Older adults, persons with dementia
ADMINISTRATOR: Occupational therapist or caregiver
FORMAT: Checklist, observation, interview
DIFFERENT ASSESSMENTS MEASURE DIFFERENT THINGS
TAKE ACTION
HOME MODIFICATION INVENTORIES
ASSESSMENT EXAMPLES
• CASPAR, Comprehensive Assessment and
Solution Process and for Aging Residents
• Extended Home Living Services (EHLS)
• https://www.ehls.com/national-grants/
• Home Safety Self Assessment Tool (HSSAT)
• Dept. of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, NY
• http://sphhp.buffalo.edu/rehabilitation-science/research-and-
facilities/funded-research/aging/home-safety-self-assessment-
tool.html
PROFESSIONAL
ASSESSMENT EXAMPLES
• Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist
for Older Adults, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
• HomeFit Guide, AARP
• Rebuilding Together Safe at Home Checklist,
Rebuilding Together, Administration on Aging (AoA), and
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS
REBUILDING TOGETHER SAFE AT
HOME CHECKLIST
Link:
https://www.aota
.org/~/media/Cor
porate/Files/Pra
ctice/Aging/rebui
lding-
together/RT-
Aging-in-Place-
Safe-at-Home-
Checklist.pdf
REBUILDING TOGETHER, AOA, & AOTA
COLLABORATE
Local partnerships with Meals on Wheels around home
safety:
• HUBS Baltimore, Maryland (Meals on Wheels Central
Maryland)
• Habitat for Humanity (Southern Bend, IN; Ypsilanti, MI;
Bucks Co, PA)
• Rebuilding Together (Alexandria, VA; Austin, TX)
• Regional/state Fall Prevention Programs (Pima Co,
AZ; Guernsey Co, OH)
RESOURCES
Fall Prevention Center of Excellence: www.stopfalls.org
Home Modification Resources and Information:
www.homemods.org
The Lifetime Home: www.lifetimehome.org
Emily Nabors: emily[email protected]
