My Parent Fell at Home, What Now
Use the free tool — Home Safety Walk
Your parent fell. Now what?
One in four adults over 65 falls each year, and most falls happen at home — on a rug, a step, a dark hallway, a bathroom with nothing to hold. If your parent already fell, you are probably scared and trying to figure out what to fix first. This guide does not replace a doctor. If your parent is hurt, dizzy, or something feels wrong right now, that comes first — talk to their doctor.
What to do first
- If your parent is hurt or something feels wrong, that is a medical question, not a home-safety question. Talk to their doctor or pharmacist — especially if there is dizziness or a medication side effect involved.
- Once the immediate situation is handled, describe the fall or the home, room by room, in your own words. Mention the cane, the walker, the eyesight, the last fall.
- You get a fix list back in order: this weekend, this month, and who to call.
What the fix list looks like
- This weekend — changes that are free or under $30.
- This month — bigger fixes: grab bars, rails, better lighting.
- Who to ask — what to bring up with a professional or agency, including whether Medicare or a local agency may help pay for it.
Print the list. Take it to the hardware store, or to the doctor, the Area Agency on Aging, or the landlord.
What this tool is — and isn't
- It's a general guide based on CDC fall-prevention recommendations (CDC STEADI). It has not seen the home and cannot assess it in person.
- It cannot assess your parent's balance or medications. For balance problems, dizziness, or medication side effects, talk to their doctor or pharmacist.
- It cannot guarantee what Medicare or a local agency will actually cover. Medicare may cover an occupational-therapy home assessment, but only when a doctor orders it — confirm coverage directly with Medicare or the agency.
- It is not affiliated with any agency, manufacturer, or facility.
- It is free, available in English and Spanish. It's not stated whether the text you paste is saved, so if you're worried about privacy, leave out your parent's name or address.
What to do next
Use the free tool to describe your parent's home room by room, or describe the fall that already happened. It will read what you type and give you back a prioritized list — what to change this weekend, what to buy and roughly what it costs, and what Medicare or a local agency may help with. Then print it, and bring your questions to the doctor, the Area Agency on Aging, or the landlord.
Home Safety Walk is an informational tool based on public fall-prevention guidance (CDC STEADI). It cannot see the home, assess a person's balance or medications, or replace an occupational-therapy home assessment, which Medicare may cover when ordered by a doctor. Price ranges are typical US retail figures. It is not affiliated with any agency, manufacturer or facility.