Uncovering Fall Risks: How Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) Identify Hidden Hazards at Home

Fritzi Gros-Daillon
Sep 23, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Nov 5

Most people don’t think much about falling. It’s something that happens to other people - usually older ones.

But here’s the truth: falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults. And most of them happen in the one place we think of as safest - home.

This is where Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) come in. They’re the professionals who look at your home and instantly see what others overlook - the hidden hazards beneath everyday routines.

Seeing Safety Differently

A CAPS professional is part home inspector, part designer, part problem solver. Where most of us see a comfortable living room, they see potential trip points, lighting gaps, and mobility obstacles.

Their expertise isn’t just about checking boxes - it’s about seeing homes through the lens of function, mobility, and long-term safety.

CAPS professionals aren’t just fixing problems - they’re anticipating them.

Why Falls Matter

Falls are the #1 cause of injury for adults 65+
Over 60% occur at home
Most are preventable with proper lighting, flooring, and layout
A single fall doubles the risk of falling again

Prevention isn’t about luck - it’s about design.

What CAPS Professionals Look For

The obvious hazards - like loose rugs, cluttered pathways, or slippery floors - are just the beginning. The true value of a CAPS assessment lies in identifying the non-obvious risks hidden in plain sight.

Here are a few of the areas they focus on:

Lighting That Guides, Not Confuses

Are pathways evenly lit?
Are there shadows or glares that distort depth perception?
Is lighting automatic, motion-activated, or easily accessible?

Uneven or overly glossy lighting can turn familiar rooms into visual minefields.

Color Contrast and Depth Perception

Aging eyes have trouble distinguishing between similar tones. A beige rug on a beige floor might look seamless - but to older adults, it can erase boundaries. CAPS professionals recommend contrasting colors for flooring, counters, and step edges to clearly define transitions.

Floor Transitions and Thresholds

That tiny lip between tile and carpet might seem harmless - but it’s one of the most common trip triggers. Experts smooth transitions or recommend flush thresholds for mobility and balance.

Stairs and Railings

They check for:

Consistent step height
Secure, dual handrails
Visual cues like striping or lighting on stair edges

Even a ½-inch height difference can disrupt rhythm and cause a fall.

Observing How You Move Through Your Home

Perhaps the most insightful part of a CAPS assessment is watching how people actually use their space.

Where do you reach for support?
How do you move from room to room?
Do you hold onto furniture or doorframes for balance?

Each of these behaviors offers clues about unseen risks - and opportunities for smart design.

For example, if you always use the back of a chair to stand up, a CAPS professional might suggest adding a discreet grab bar or repositioning furniture to make movement safer.

Planning for the Future, Not Just the Present

A house that’s safe today may not be safe in five years. That’s why CAPS professionals design with future changes in mind - mobility shifts, vision loss, or cognitive decline.

They help homeowners stay independent by planning adaptable spaces that evolve with age.

The best safety plans don’t just solve today’s problems - they prevent tomorrow’s emergencies.

Blending Function and Design

No one wants their home to feel like a hospital. The art of a great CAPS professional is making safety invisible - integrating features that blend seamlessly with a home’s aesthetic.

Examples include:

Stylish grab bars that double as towel racks
Non-slip flooring that looks like hardwood
Accent lighting that doubles as nighttime guidance

Safety and style aren’t opposites - they’re partners in good design.

Technology’s Role in 2026 Assessments

While nothing replaces the human touch, technology is making CAPS assessments even more powerful.

Many professionals now use:

AR (Augmented Reality) to visualize modifications before installation
AI-assisted lighting analysis to detect glare and shadow risks
Movement sensors to track walking paths and identify high-risk zones
Digital reporting tools for clients and caregivers to track improvements

These innovations enhance precision, but human judgment remains irreplaceable—because every home and every person is unique.

2026 CAPS Fall-Prevention Assessment Checklist

✅ Evaluate lighting for even distribution and minimal glare

✅ Increase color contrast on stairs, thresholds, and edges

✅ Replace or secure loose rugs and uneven flooring

✅ Add dual handrails and anti-slip stair treatments

✅ Smooth transitions between rooms and flooring types

✅ Review furniture layout for mobility support

✅ Plan for future needs—balance, vision, cognition

✅ Incorporate smart lighting and monitoring tools

The Value of Expertise

CAPS professionals don’t just know more - they see differently. Their value lies in perception: recognizing subtle details others miss, and understanding how small changes impact daily living.

That level of expertise can’t be replicated by an app or algorithm—it requires empathy, observation, and experience.

And while technology can help visualize risk, only human expertise can interpret it.

Prevention Starts with Perspective

Falls aren’t random accidents - they’re predictable, preventable, and too often overlooked.

A CAPS home assessment is one of the smartest investments you can make in safety, independence, and peace of mind. Because it’s always easier - and cheaper - to prevent a fall than to recover from one.

After all, we’re all aging in place. The only question is whether we’re doing it safely.

👉 Schedule a CAPS home safety consultation or training

Questions? Contact fritzi@householdguardians.com