Home Assessment & Installation

A home safety assessment evaluates your living environment for fall hazards, accessibility barriers, and safety risks relative to your specific physical abilities. Occupational therapists (OTs) are the primary professionals trained to conduct these assessments and recommend specific modifications.

A thorough assessment covers: bathroom and shower access and grab bar placement, bedroom safety (lighting, bed height, path to bathroom), entryway accessibility (thresholds, steps, door hardware), kitchen safety (reach, stove controls, floor surfaces), stairway safety (handrails, lighting, step contrast), and general fall hazards throughout (rugs, cords, furniture placement).

Occupational therapy home assessments typically cost $150–$400 when paid out of pocket. Medicare Part B covers home health OT services when prescribed by a physician following a qualifying health event. Many local nonprofits and Area Agencies on Aging provide free basic home safety assessments for qualifying seniors.

The most frequently cited hazards are: bathroom without grab bars (particularly next to toilet and in shower), loose or unanchored area rugs, inadequate lighting in hallways and stairways, no handrail on at least one side of all stairways, and high step-over tub entries without assistive equipment.