Home Modifications for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Over 10,000 Americans turn 65 daily, yet only 10% of homes are aging-ready.
• Unsafe housing exacerbates disability, increases fall risk, and hospitalization likelihood in older adults.
• Home modifications are increasingly considered to support aging in place and community-based services.

Approach:

• A systematic review of twelve randomized controlled trials on home modifications for older adults was conducted.
• Studies were evaluated for model structure, reported outcomes, and risk of bias across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases.
• Identified models were analyzed for effective components and features.

Key Points:

• Significant heterogeneity exists among current home modification models, with no established consensus on critical features.
• Occupational therapist-driven interventions, when supplemented with clinical, physical activity, or behavioral components, demonstrated the greatest success.
• Effective and frequently utilized features within successful models were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Next-generation home modification models are needed to effectively promote healthy longevity.
• Further research and practice are required to develop standardized and impactful home modification strategies.
• Integrating occupational therapy with other health services is crucial for optimizing home modification outcomes.