Senior Home Safety Program
Senior Home Safety Program
Elderly falls attribute to a significant amount of both dispatches and transports to the Emergency Room when compared to other traumatic call types and a considerable percentage of these falls occur at home. The Austin-Travis County EMS Injury Prevention team conducts FREE in-home safety assessments to identify potential risks and hazards for slips, trips, and falls in the home environment. Any person who meets the following criteria is eligible for a free home safety assessment:
- City of Austin / Travis County resident OR located within the ATCEMS service area
- Age 65 or older OR concerned about their home situation
- Lives independently (in a home or apartment, not in a nursing home or assisted living facility)
- No diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's
Home safety evaluations include the following:
- Room-by-room assessment conducted by a licensed ATCEMS paramedic to identify potential risks for slips, trips, and falls
- Home hazard mitigation to reduce the risk of injury
- Medication review and Vial of Life program kit
- Information about FREE programs and services
- Information about FREE safety equipment (canes, lockboxes, wheelchairs, smoke detectors)
- Discussion/distribution of our lockbox program
- Medical ID/fall detection discussion & setup for smartphones and watches
- Emergency preparedness and planning guide
For more information email EMSFallPrevention@austintexas.gov and an EMS Injury Prevention team member will contact you as soon as possible.
Many falls are preventable, stay safe with these tips.
Six Steps to Prevent a Fall
- Find a good balance and exercise program to build balance, strength, and flexibility. The City of Austin Senior Activity Centers offer low impact aerobic exercise programs, water aerobics, and T'ai Chi classes. T'ai Chi has many proven health benefits for seniors, from increased balance and bone strength to greater flexibility. T'ai Chi is very safe and practiced slowly; it is zero impact.
- Talk to your health care provider. Ask for an assessment of your risk of falling and share your history of recent falls.
- Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure medication side effects aren’t increasing your risk of falling. Take medications only as prescribed.
- Get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses. Your eyes and ears are key to keeping you on your feet.
- Keep your home safe. Remove tripping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe, and install grab bars in key areas. Austin-Travis County EMS offers FREE home safety assessments to help you identify potential risks for slips, trips and falls.
- Talk to your family members. Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just a seniors’ issue.
The Vial of Life Project is a smart way to have your medical information organized and on hand for first responders in the event of an emergency. Visit their website to download and print for FREE the essential forms, decals and instructions to assemble your kit.
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital is a trusted community resource for information, referral, and support services. The Agency serves older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers with a variety of services and supports throughout the region. It works to ensure people can maintain their best quality of life in the environment of their choosing. Visit their website to find resources or sign up for workshops.
Family Eldercare was founded in 1982 by a group of professionals concerned with supporting the family's role as caregiver for frail elders through training and information. The agency offers a variety of resources and services designed to provide a helping hand to seniors and adults with disabilities.
AGE of Central Texas is a regional nonprofit organization that provides education and support to people all along the spectrum of growing older, no matter where they are on that journey. AGE serves older adults and caregivers through its primary interrelated programs: adult day health care, caregiver education and resources, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, and peer-based computer classes for seniors.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas seeks to nourish and enrich the lives of the homebound and other people in need through programs that promote dignity and independent living. Meals on Wheels Central Texas is one of the largest meal-delivery organizations in the state, distributing 3,000 meals each business day to homebound older adults and people with disabilities.
FindHelp.org is a search engine for supplemental assistance programs near you. Enter your zip code and get help with food assistance, help paying bills, transportation, and other free or reduced cost programs.
The Golden Rollers program provides an opportunity for adults aged 50 and older to engage in low-impact, bicycle-based recreation, exploration, and transportation. The Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity program uses three-wheeled adult trikes to enable riders of all skill levels to cycle the Boggy Creek Trail system and the Pedernales protected bikeway, which connect to neighborhood amenities like parks, trails, and grocery stores.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and services for people 50 years of age and older. Activities include traveling, pursuing old hobbies and learning new ones, socializing with friends, meeting new people, increasing knowledge, becoming and staying physically fit, supplementing income, contributing to the community and much more!
The City of Austin Housing Department has several home repair programs for income-eligible Austinites. These low-cost programs help with home repairs and modifications, with the goal of helping Austinites stay in their homes.
Capital City Village is a nonprofit membership organization for Austin seniors who are committed to aging in place - living in their own homes and communities comfortably - while maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. Services are provided by dedicated, background checked volunteers and a network of preferred service providers available to help meet your needs to age successfully in place and in community.
The Vial of Life Project is a smart way to have your medical information organized and on hand for first responders in the event of an emergency. Visit their website to download and print for FREE the essential forms, decals and instructions to assemble your kit.
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital is a trusted community resource for information, referral, and support services. The Agency serves older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers with a variety of services and supports throughout the region. It works to ensure people can maintain their best quality of life in the environment of their choosing. Visit their website to find resources or sign up for workshops.
Family Eldercare was founded in 1982 by a group of professionals concerned with supporting the family's role as caregiver for frail elders through training and information. The agency offers a variety of resources and services designed to provide a helping hand to seniors and adults with disabilities.
AGE of Central Texas is a regional nonprofit organization that provides education and support to people all along the spectrum of growing older, no matter where they are on that journey. AGE serves older adults and caregivers through its primary interrelated programs: adult day health care, caregiver education and resources, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, and peer-based computer classes for seniors.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas seeks to nourish and enrich the lives of the homebound and other people in need through programs that promote dignity and independent living. Meals on Wheels Central Texas is one of the largest meal-delivery organizations in the state, distributing 3,000 meals each business day to homebound older adults and people with disabilities.
FindHelp.org is a search engine for supplemental assistance programs near you. Enter your zip code and get help with food assistance, help paying bills, transportation, and other free or reduced cost programs.
The Golden Rollers program provides an opportunity for adults aged 50 and older to engage in low-impact, bicycle-based recreation, exploration, and transportation. The Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity program uses three-wheeled adult trikes to enable riders of all skill levels to cycle the Boggy Creek Trail system and the Pedernales protected bikeway, which connect to neighborhood amenities like parks, trails, and grocery stores.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and services for people 50 years of age and older. Activities include traveling, pursuing old hobbies and learning new ones, socializing with friends, meeting new people, increasing knowledge, becoming and staying physically fit, supplementing income, contributing to the community and much more!
The City of Austin Housing Department has several home repair programs for income-eligible Austinites. These low-cost programs help with home repairs and modifications, with the goal of helping Austinites stay in their homes.
Capital City Village is a nonprofit membership organization for Austin seniors who are committed to aging in place - living in their own homes and communities comfortably - while maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. Services are provided by dedicated, background checked volunteers and a network of preferred service providers available to help meet your needs to age successfully in place and in community.