home_health

You're not worried about a fall.
You're worried about mom.

The ER trip costs $30,000. The grab bar costs $40. Answer 36 yes/no questions — one per room — and see your exact hazards in under 5 minutes. A physician reviews your results so HSA-eligible fixes are documented.

Free 6-room assessment. ICD-10 coded. Physician-attested. Unlocks HSA/FSA for home safety improvements your family is already buying.

This tool does not replace a physician evaluation. If your score is high, a co-op.care caregiver will do a free in-home walkthrough with you.

Start Free Assessment High risk? Get a free home assessment
36M

Falls every year among older adults in the US (CDC)

#1

Cause of injury death in adults 65+ (CDC WISQARS)

6

Rooms covered: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, stairs, living room, outdoors

How the Assessment Works

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Room-by-Room Walkthrough

Answer 4 to 8 yes/no questions per room — grab bars, lighting, rugs, stair rails, outdoor surfaces. No login required. Takes under 5 minutes.

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Personalized Risk Report

Get a prioritized hazard list — from easy fixes under $50 to modifications that qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity.

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Gait Analysis Add-On

Pair your results with HealthGait gait analysis for a complete mobility and balance picture.

Walk the house, room by room

Find the hazards in 4 rooms

Check every hazard you see in each room. As you go, each room scores itself — and at the end you get a single prioritized fix list, hardest-hitting first. Nothing is stored; it all runs in your browser.

Hazards checked so far

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Understanding Fall Risk at Home

verified

Reviewed by a physician

Content reviewed by Josh Emdur, DO — Board-Certified Hospitalist, 50-state licensed physician. Last reviewed April 2026. Sources: CDC STEADI Program, JAMA Internal Medicine, NIH National Institute on Aging.

The Bathroom: Highest-Risk Room in the Home

The CDC estimates that 235,000 adults visit emergency rooms each year due to bathroom injuries. Wet surfaces, low toilet heights, and the absence of grab bars create a hazardous combination for older adults with reduced lower-body strength or balance impairment.

The most evidence-supported bathroom modification is the installation of grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower or tub. A 2017 Cochrane Review found that environmental modifications — including grab bars — reduced fall rates in older adults by approximately 19%. Grab bars must be anchored into wall studs or blocking to support a load of at least 250 pounds.

Walk-in showers with zero-threshold entry eliminate the step-over hazard that causes many tub-related falls. Non-slip mats certified to ANSI/NFSI B101.1 standards provide measurable slip resistance. These modifications can often be reimbursed through an HSA or FSA account when accompanied by a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity from co-op.care.

Lighting, Vision, and Nighttime Falls

Inadequate lighting is a frequently overlooked fall risk factor. Adults over 65 require approximately three times as much light to see clearly as younger adults, due to normal age-related changes in the lens of the eye (NIH, National Eye Institute). Hallways, stairwells, and the path between the bedroom and bathroom are the most critical areas to address.

Motion-activated nightlights with a lux rating of at least 50 are recommended for hallway and bathroom use. Stairwells should have lighting at both the top and bottom of the stairs. Light switches at all room entries prevent the need to navigate a dark space before reaching the switch.

Annual vision screening is an important complement to home modifications. Uncorrected visual impairment — including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration — significantly increases fall risk independent of home hazards. The HealthGait assessment can identify gait changes associated with visual compensation strategies.

Stairs: The Second Most Dangerous Location

Stair-related falls are the second most common cause of fall-related emergency department visits. The majority of stair falls occur while descending. Key risk factors include the absence of handrails on both sides, inadequate step depth or height (risers greater than 7 inches), worn carpet, and inadequate lighting.

Continuous handrails — extending the full length of the staircase and returning to the wall at the top and bottom — are the standard required by the International Residential Code. High-contrast tape on the leading edge of each step significantly reduces misstep risk for individuals with contrast sensitivity impairment.

For individuals whose fall risk makes stair use genuinely unsafe, stair lifts and single-floor living arrangements are alternatives worth discussing with your care team. co-op.care companion caregivers can assist with stair safety monitoring and provide in-home support during the transition period.

Medication Review and Fall Risk

Polypharmacy — the concurrent use of four or more medications — is one of the strongest predictors of fall risk in older adults. Drug classes with the highest fall association include sedative-hypnotics, psychotropics (antidepressants, antipsychotics), antihypertensives, and diuretics. The Beers Criteria, published by the American Geriatrics Society, identifies specific medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults.

A medication review by a pharmacist or physician can identify combinations that cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing) or excessive sedation — both of which directly increase fall probability. This review is covered under Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and should be requested if you take four or more medications.

Home modifications address the environment, but addressing medication risk requires a clinical conversation. The CareGoals advance care planning platform can help document medication concerns and share them with your care team.

HSA/FSA Reimbursement for Home Safety Modifications

Under IRS Publication 502 and Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d), home modifications made primarily for medical purposes may be reimbursed from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Eligible modifications typically include grab bars, handrails, ramps, walk-in tubs, and stair lifts when prescribed by a physician to treat or mitigate a diagnosed medical condition.

To qualify, a licensed physician must provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) documenting the specific medical condition (such as osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, or post-surgical recovery), the prescribed modification, and the clinical rationale. The modification must be primarily medical — home improvements that also increase property value are generally only partially deductible.

co-op.care works with licensed physicians to generate LMNs for qualifying home safety modifications. The average HSA-eligible modification saves a family $150 to $450 in federal taxes depending on tax bracket. Start the LMN process at co-op.care.

Beers Criteria · Polypharmacy Risk

Medication fall risk — by drug class

Polypharmacy (4+ medications) is the single most modifiable fall risk factor for most older adults. Select a drug class to see its mechanism, fall risk level, and what to discuss with your prescriber. Never stop a medication without consulting your provider.

Source: American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria 2023; CDC STEADI; Woolcott JC et al., Arch Intern Med 2009.

High risk

Sedatives, benzodiazepines, and sleep aids

Examples: Diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), zolpidem (Ambien), temazepam, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxylamine (Unisom).

Mechanism: Sedation reduces reaction time and impairs balance correction. Muscle relaxation decreases the ability to catch a stumble. Falls most common in the first 2 hours after a dose, and at night when getting up to use the bathroom.

Risk level: 2.1–2.6× increased fall risk (Beers 2023). Listed as "Potentially Inappropriate Medication" in older adults. Non-benzodiazepine sleep aids (Z-drugs) carry equal or higher risk.

Ask your prescriber: "Is this medication still needed? Can we taper or substitute cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which has comparable efficacy without fall risk?"

This information is educational. Never stop or adjust a medication without speaking to your prescriber. Sources: AGS Beers Criteria 2023; Woolcott JC et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 (meta-analysis, 79% increased fall risk with any psychotropic); CDC STEADI 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to make a home fall-safe? add
Basic fall prevention modifications typically range from $200 to $1,500 for grab bars, non-slip mats, improved lighting, and stair handrails. More extensive work — walk-in showers or ramp installation — can range from $3,000 to $15,000. Many of these expenses qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity. Source: AARP Public Policy Institute, 2023.
Are grab bars HSA/FSA eligible? add
Yes, with a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity. Under IRS Publication 502, grab bars and other durable home modifications can be reimbursed from an HSA or FSA when a licensed physician documents the medical need. co-op.care's physician partner can generate an LMN for qualifying modifications.
What rooms are most dangerous for falls? add
The bathroom is the highest-risk room — approximately 235,000 adults visit emergency rooms each year due to bathroom injuries (CDC). Stairs and hallways are second. Bedrooms, particularly during nighttime trips, account for a significant share of nighttime falls. Our assessment covers all six key areas.
What is the most effective fall prevention strategy? add
The CDC's STEADI initiative recommends a multi-factor approach: home hazard modification, medication review, balance and strength exercises (such as Tai Chi), and vision correction. No single intervention is sufficient alone. This assessment addresses the home environment component; HealthGait covers gait analysis.
Can Medicare pay for fall prevention home modifications? add
Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental home safety benefits. HSA and FSA accounts can be used for qualifying modifications with a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity. Medicaid HCBS waiver programs in some states cover modifications for low-income individuals.
How long does the assessment take? add
Approximately 5 minutes. You answer yes/no questions for each of six rooms — bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, stairs, living room, and outdoor spaces. No account or login is required. You receive a personalized risk report immediately.
Do I need a doctor's referral to do the assessment? add
No. The FallRisks assessment is a free, self-directed home safety tool requiring no referral. It is not a medical diagnosis. If results suggest significant fall risk, we recommend discussing them with your physician or requesting a formal evaluation.
Who should complete a fall risk assessment? add
The CDC recommends fall risk screening for all adults age 65 and older at least annually. Higher-risk groups include those who have already experienced a fall, those with balance or gait problems, those taking four or more medications, and anyone with a fear of falling. Adult children can complete the assessment for a family member.
What is the difference between a fall risk assessment and a home safety assessment? add
A clinical fall risk assessment evaluates the individual's physical risk factors — balance, gait, strength, and vision. A home safety assessment evaluates environmental hazards in the living space. Both are components of comprehensive fall prevention. FallRisks covers the home environment; HealthGait.com covers gait analysis.
Can a caregiver complete the assessment for a family member? add
Yes. The assessment is designed to be completed by the older adult, a family caregiver, or a professional caregiver during a home visit. Questions are room-specific and based on observable conditions, so a careful walkthrough of the home is sufficient. CaresCircle helps coordinate these conversations across the whole family.

From Assessment to Action

If your score is high, the next step is a free in-home walkthrough with a co-op.care caregiver. They walk every room with you, implement the top fixes, and connect you with a physician from Altru.care for the Letter of Medical Necessity that makes grab bars and ramps HSA/FSA eligible.

co-op.care caregiver services HealthGait gait analysis Altru.care physician LMN ComfortCard HSA tracking CareGoals advance planning CaresCircle family coordination

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