In this guide 4 sections
Living alone at 91 can raise practical questions about falls, cooking and bathroom safety. More than one in four adults age 65 or older falls each year, and fall risk rises with age. Many falls can be prevented.
What should you do first?
- 1.Ask her doctor for a fall risk review. Mention any falls, dizziness, balance problems, vision changes and concerns about medications.
- 2.Request an occupational therapy home safety assessment. Ask the therapist to review walking paths, stairs, the bathroom, the bedroom and how she uses the stove.
- 3.Discuss whether grab bars, a properly fitted cane or walker, or other home changes would help. A physical or occupational therapist can help select and teach the safe use of walking equipment.
- 4.Check coverage before buying equipment or arranging modifications. Medicare decisions depend on the item and whether its coverage requirements are met. Medicaid home services vary by state and may have enrollment limits or waiting lists.
How can her doctor help with fall safety?
Medicare Part B covers a yearly Wellness visit once every 12 months for eligible beneficiaries. The visit includes a health risk assessment, prescription review, routine measurements and a personalized prevention plan. It costs nothing when the provider accepts assignment, but added tests or services can create a charge.
What about grab bars and the stove?
An occupational therapist can help identify useful home changes. Some programs combine occupational therapy, nursing and handyman work to install assistive devices and make home modifications. Ask the assessor to watch how she uses the stove and discuss whether a change in routine, supervision or an automatic shutoff device should be considered.
Do not assume every safety item is covered by Medicare. Medicare uses item specific durable medical equipment rules. For example, its national reference list identifies bathtub lifts and bathtub seats as noncovered convenience or hygiene items. Ask Medicare, her health plan or the supplier about grab bars before purchasing them.
Where can she get help with balance and strength?
Community fall prevention programs can work on balance, strength, mobility, home safety and confidence. Evidence based options include A Matter of Balance and other programs delivered in groups, at home or virtually.
Questions families ask
Can a 91-year-old safely continue living alone?
Age alone does not settle that question. Ask her doctor and an occupational therapist to review her fall risk, daily activities, medications, mobility and home environment.
Does Medicare cover a stove shutoff device or grab bars?
The evidence here does not establish coverage for those items. Ask Medicare, her health plan and the supplier before buying them. If she has Medicaid, ask the state Medicaid agency whether a home services waiver covers modifications.
What should she do if she falls?
She should tell her doctor about every fall, even if she did not feel pain. If she is hurt or cannot get up, she should call 911 or ask someone for emergency help.
Can Medicaid help pay for home modifications?
Some state Medicaid home and community services waivers can cover supports and home modifications for eligible people. Services and eligibility vary, and programs may limit enrollment or maintain waiting lists.
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