J Agric Med Community Health.  2022 Mar;47(1):27-39. 10.5393/JAMCH.2022.47.1.027.

Fall Risk Home Environment and Fall Experiences among Community-Dwelling Older People

• Han J
• Park E

• KMID: 2535048
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2022.47.1.027

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this research was to explore Fall Risk Home Environment(FRHE) and to investigate the association between FRHE and fall experience among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods
The data were collected from 299 older adults using FRHE through observation and interview at home of the participants and were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 applying descriptive statistics, χ 2 -test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis.
Results
The prevalence of fall experience during the past year was 51.5%. ‘No handles beside the toilet or bathtub’(73.2%) was most common FRHE factor, ‘thresholds in your room or kitchen’(68.9%), ‘wearing socks, outer socks, or slipper when you move in the house’(59.5%), and threshold on the gate (apartment entrance)(55.5%) were followed. The findings of logistic regression of FRHE on fall experiences showed darkness of house had the highest Odds Ratio (OR 9.83 95% CI 3.75-25.71), followed by furniture obstructs your walking in the house(OR 7.07, CI 2.88-17.36), dark kitchen (OR 5.13, CI 2.38-11.03). The group having fall experiences presented significantly higher score of FRHE than the group of non experiences of fall.
Conclusion
The community dwelling older adults exposures to various FRHE factors and FRHE might increase the risk of falls. Assessing and modifying the home environment could be a good strategy to prevent fall among older adults.

Keyword

Accidental Falls; Home Environment; Aged