Top 10 Signs You May Need a Home Safety Assessment

As we age, changes in mobility, balance, and strength can turn everyday tasks—like getting out of bed or walking down the stairs—into unexpected challenges, even in a home we’ve lived in for years.

Often, we don’t even notice these changes right away—we simply find ways to compensate.

But it’s the subtle signs—hesitations, close calls, or growing discomfort—that signal it may be time to take a closer look at how well your home is supporting your daily life.

A home safety assessment is an in-home evaluation conducted by a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), certified through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), to identify potential hazards as well as opportunities to make your home more accessible as you age. CAPS experts provide personalized recommendations to make your space safer, more accessible, and better suited to your evolving health needs. It’s a proactive step that helps reduce fall risks, supports independence, and ensures your home continues to work for you—not against you—even if your mobility or health changes in the future.

Below are common signs that you or your loved one could benefit from a home safety assessment, especially if you're planning to remain in your current home for the long term:

10 Signs Your Home Could Benefit from a Home Safety Assessment by a CAPS Expert:

• You’ve experienced slips, trips, or near-falls—even if you didn’t fall.
  Small stumbles are often the first sign of balance or mobility changes—and the need to modify your home to reduce fall risks.

  
  

• You feel uncertain or unsafe navigating to the bathroom at night.
  Dim lighting or hazardous hallways increase the risk of falls.

  
  

• You feel uneasy walking into your home, especially when it’s snowy or icy outside.
  Lack of railings, uneven steps, or slippery surfaces can make entryways hazardous in winter.

  
  

• Stepping in or out of the shower feels like a balancing act.
  Bathrooms are one of the most common areas for falls. A zero-threshold shower, grab bars, and non-slip flooring can greatly reduce risks.

  
  

• You find it harder to get up from low chairs or your bed.
  Small home adjustments can support mobility and reduce strain in these situations.

  
  

• You avoid using certain cabinets or shelves because they’re too hard to reach.
  Frequently needing to stretch, bend, or climb to access items is a sign that your home needs to be more accessible.

  
  

• You notice that clutter, cords, or rugs are getting in your way.
  What once seemed like harmless décor or a little mess can quickly become a tripping hazard.

  
  

• You’ve started feeling anxious about using stairs.
  Whether inside or outside, stairs without sturdy handrails or proper lighting can become challenging.

  
  

• You’ve thought about how you’d get help in an emergency.
  Not having a reliable way to call for assistance can be a serious concern, especially for those living alone.

  
  

• You’ve caught yourself moving more cautiously—or avoiding certain tasks in your house altogether.
  A change in confidence when moving around your home often signals that your environment may need to be adjusted.

What a Home Safety Assessment Involves:

At Onni Home, we take a thoughtful, personalized approach to home safety assessments. Each assessment is conducted by a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist who is also a licensed general contractor—combining deep knowledge of accessible design with hands-on construction expertise. This ensures every recommendation is not only practical but also feasible and aligned with your long-term goals.

Our process includes a thorough walkthrough and measurement of your home’s physical environment—evaluating key areas like entrances, bathrooms, lighting, flooring, and layout. We also take time to speak with you directly, learning about your daily routines, current challenges, health considerations, and future needs. This gives us a deeper understanding and allows our team to provide personalized recommendations tailored specifically to you.

Recommendations can range from small-scale modifications like installing grab bars, switching to lever-style handles, or improving lighting, to more extensive renovations such as widening doorways, adding a stair-free entry, or remodeling key living areas for enhanced accessibility. Where needed, we also offer referrals to trusted community resources and partners to support other aspects of aging in place.

Whether you're planning ahead or addressing current challenges, our goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered to live comfortably in your home for years to come.