If you are a senior person or a family member of one who is currently in rehabilitation, you may be told by your Physical and/or Occupational Therapist that they need to conduct a home safety assessment before you can go home.
Another scenario could be that you are planning to age in place and are looking for recommendations on what needs to be done to your home environment to make it safe and comfortable.
In this case, the assessment can be conducted by a therapist, as I mentioned above, or a Certified Home Safety Specialist.
No matter what the reason, a home safety assessment can provide you with important information and recommendations to ensure your home is safe for you or your family member.
This article will explain what a home safety assessment is and how it’s conducted.
A home safety assessment is simply an evaluation of the potential risks in your home that could lead to injury. It’s conducted by trained professionals who know how to identify potential hazards.
The purpose of the assessment is to make sure that your home is as safe as possible so that you can live independently and without fear of injury.
What Happens During A Home Safety Assessment?
During the assessment, a professional will come to your home and inspect all areas of the house.
They will look for things like sharp edges on furniture, exposed electrical outlets or cords, loose carpeting, objects that could fall and cause harm, and any other hazards that could cause injury.
The professional might also check for things like:
- adequate lighting
- proper ventilation
- smoke detectors
- emergency exits
- carbon monoxide detectors
- potentially hazardous conditions throughout the house
- how easy is it to access furniture, appliances, etc.
- potential fire hazards
- height of your bed, your toilet, your bathtub
- how easy is the access into rooms, down hallways, the garage, the outdoors, etc.
- any possibly dangerous situations in the front and backyards
- condition of the floors (are they slippery, are there rugs throughout the house, can you maneuver over doorway thresholds?)
There is much more to a home safety assessment. Each one is individualized to the person’s abilities and disabilities.
Who Can Perform A Home Safety Assessment?
The assessment is conducted by certified professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Certified Home Safety Specialists, and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (CAPS).
Your assessor will then be able to tell you whether there are improvements or changes that should be made in order to reduce the risk of fires or other safety-related incidents happening in your home.
At the end of the assessment, you will receive a detailed report that outlines any areas of concern and recommendations for changes to help make your home safer. It is up to you to implement any necessary changes in order to ensure your family’s safety.
During the assessment, the assessor will take time to listen to you and answer any questions you may have about how best to modify your home environment or what safety products may be best for your family.
It is important to know that the goal of a home safety assessment is to provide you and your family with the most effective and up-to-date measures for keeping your home safe.
A home safety assessment can give you peace of mind knowing that your home has been thoroughly examined and any potential risks identified. By taking the time to have this done, you can help ensure that your family is living in an environment that is safe and secure.
What Are The Three Major Areas Assessed In Home Safety?
When assessing home safety, there are three major areas to consider.
The first area is the physical environment – how accessible and secure is your home? Are stairs or other climbs easy to traverse without a risk of slipping and falling? Is the outdoor space clutter-free and well-lit?
The second area covers emergency preparedness – do you have easy access to a fire extinguisher or first aid kit? Do you have an emergency plan in place and do your family members know what to do in case of an emergency?
The third area looks at the safety of everyday items – are there any potential hazards, such as sharp edges on furniture, that could present a risk to small children or elderly residents? Are electrical appliances, such as radiators and hairdryers, in good condition and properly tested for safety?
By assessing each of these three major areas, you can help ensure that your home is as safe as possible. With a few simple steps, you can protect the people who matter most.
Does Medicare Cover Home Safety Assessments?
The short answer is that Medicare does cover home safety assessments. But, you need for it be ordered by your primary care physician. You will also need to meet certain criteria for Medicare to cover it.
Medicare does cover home safety assessments. The home safety assessment or evaluation must be ordered by the beneficiaries’ primary care physician. The home health care agency will bill Medicare, then your Part B benefits will pay for the assessment.
medicarefaq.com
Having a professional assess your home for possible fall risks and other safety concerns is important for your overall health and well-being. This assessment can help identify potential hazards that you may not be aware of, allowing you to make the necessary changes to create a safe living environment.
It’s important to note that Medicare doesn’t typically cover any modifications or installation of equipment that are recommended from the assessment, but it does cover the cost of conducting a home safety assessment.
Medicare Part B may cover up to 80% of the approved costs for an in-home safety assessment if it is ordered by your benefit-eligible healthcare provider. To find out if you are eligible, it’s best to check with your Medicare plan or contact a representative for more information.
If you think you could benefit from having an in-home safety assessment, talk to your primary care provider and determine if this is the best option for you.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has performed hundreds of home assessments, I can tell you that they are a valuable way to ensure that your home is as safe as possible. Not only can you identify and address potential hazards, but you also get a sense of peace knowing that you’ve taken the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family.
Home assessments are especially important for those living with young children or elderly individuals who may be at greater risk of injury due to their age or physical limitations.
So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and make sure your home is as safe as can be! By taking a few moments to assess your living space, you’ll be helping yourself sleep soundly every night. A safe house starts with you!