Fall Risk Home Environment and Fall Experiences among Community-Dwelling Older People
10.5393/JAMCH.2022.47.1.027
- Author:
Jiyoon HAN
1
;
Eunok PARK
Author Information
1. Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health
2022;47(1):27-39
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
