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Adherence to occupational therapist recommendations for home modifications for falls prevention
R G Cumming1, M Thomas, G Szonyi
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. bobc@health.usyd.edu.au
Objective:
This study examined adherence to home modification recommendations made by an occupational therapist and attempted to identify predictors of adherence.
Method:
An experienced occupational therapist visited the homes of 178 people (mean age = 764 years) to evaluate for and recommend appropriate home modifications for falls prevention. One year later, a research assistant visited these persons' homes to assess adherence.
Results:
At least one home modification was recommended in 150 of the 178 homes visited. The most common recommendations were to remove mats and throw rugs (48%), to change footwear (24%), and to use a nonslip bathmat (21%). In the 121 homes revisited after 12 months, 419 home modifications had been recommended, and 216 (52%) were met with partial or complete adherence. The only significant predictors of adherence were a belief that home modifications can prevent falls and having help at home from relatives.
Conclusion:
A major barrier to adherence to home modification recommendations is that many older people do not believe that home modifications can reduce their risk of falling.