The purpose of the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool is to reduce home hazards in order to prevent falls or the number of falls for older adults. It comprises a 74-item checklist which is categorized into 10 areas: entrance to front door and front yard, entrance to back/side door, hallway or foyer, living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, staircases, laundry room/basement and garage. The tool also includes guidance pertaining to assistive devices, home modification services, fall prevention tips and action log to track the home hazard removal process. In addition, the tool aims to raise awareness; e.g., some users may not be aware that clutter is a fall risk until they see it on the list.
The Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool requires an occupational therapist consultation to guide the assessment. In terms of housing quality indicators, it assesses the physical structures in the home environment, considering whether they are accessible and in good state of repair. It also assesses lighting condition.
Health status and risk factors Disability, Functional decline, Fall risk
Age group Older Adults
Assessor Occupational therapist
Sections / items 10 sections; 74 items
Self-administered No
Multi-component No
Indicators Physical structure; accessibility; state of repair; lighting
Evidence Level 3 - Quai-experimental study with no comparator
Authors Tomita, M. R., Saharan, S., Rajendran, S., Nochajski, S. M., & Schweitzer, J. A.
Organizations Occupational Therapy Geriatric Group, University at Buffalo
Publication date 2014
Tomita, M. R., Saharan, S., Rajendran, S., Nochajski, S. M., & Schweitzer, J. A. (2014). Psychometrics of the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool (HSSAT) to prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 68(6), 711-718. https://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.010801