About

Background

It is important to assess your home periodically, identify problems that could increase the risk of falls, and consider solutions to address them.

The Problem?

• Most people choose to remain in their homes as they age. Homes that were comfortable and supportive in the past may present problems over time that could lead to avoidable accidents such as falls.

• Among people age 65 and older, falls are the number one cause of injury, hospital visits due to trauma, and death from an injury.

• One in three older adults falls each year, with more than half of all falls occurring in and around the home.

The Solutions?

• Research shows that the optimal way to reduce fall risks for people at moderate to high risk of falls includes medication management, physical activity, and home modification.

• Home modification is changing the environment to make daily activities easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living. This includes removing fall hazards such as clutter, adding supports such as handrails, and changing how or where activities occur.

• Universal design (UD) features create an environment that is easy for people of all ages and abilities to use. UD features, such as pull-out drawers and walk-in showers, are also designed with appearance in mind, and come in a variety of styles.

About The Lifetime Home

The Lifetime Home highlights common barriers to safe and supportive aging in the home and features a range of home modifications and universal design features that can address them. Photographs from actual homes demonstrate how design and product changes can support independent living. Explore the home room by room and visit the Resources page for additional information. Use The Lifetime Home to learn how to make the home a safer and more supportive place for a lifetime!

Please note: The photographs on this website represent possible solutions to various barriers in the home and should not be taken without consideration of individuals’ specific needs and environments. Obtaining professional advice and/or assessment is strongly recommended before making changes to the home.

Fall Prevention Center of Excellence

The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence (FPCE) is nationally recognized as a leading source of fall prevention information for older adults, families, caregivers, professionals, service providers, researchers, and policymakers. Housed at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, FPCE creates and distributes multilingual materials for these groups on its widely visited website, www.stopfalls.org; has provided technical assistance to 11 regional fall prevention coalitions in California; and has convened three statewide summits on fall prevention and aging in place. FPCE also offers an online Executive Certificate in Home Modification Program that teaches professionals how to assess and modify homes for aging in place. Visit www.homemods.org and www.stopfalls.org for more information.

Care Institute Group

This project is generously funded by Care Institute Group, founded in 1993. The business philosophy behind the formation of Care Group was to develop a strategic business plan that could build a diversified pool of senior housing projects nationwide, utilize the skills and existing capital investment in infrastructure by premier operators, and obtain the tax advantaged financing to achieve these goals and to lower the costs of service to the residents of the facilities owned by Care Group.