What role does home assessment play in the prevention of falls among older adults?

Role of Home Assessment in Fall Prevention Among Older Adults

Home assessment plays a critical role in the prevention of falls among older adults by identifying and addressing environmental hazards that contribute to fall risk. It is recommended as part of a multifactorial falls risk assessment and intervention, especially for older people who have experienced a fall or are at high risk of falling. A home hazard assessment should be conducted using validated tools and followed by appropriate interventions or modifications to reduce risks within the home environment. This assessment is particularly important for older adults who have received hospital treatment following a fall and should be integrated into discharge planning to ensure timely intervention. Evidence shows that home hazard assessment is effective only when combined with follow-up and intervention, not when done in isolation. Therefore, home assessment is a key component of individualized, multifactorial interventions aimed at promoting independence and improving physical and psychological function in older adults at risk of falls.

In summary, home assessment helps to identify modifiable environmental risk factors and, when combined with other interventions such as strength and balance training, vision assessment, and medication review, contributes to reducing the rate of falls in older adults.

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