Staying safe at home. Home environmental audit recommendations and uptake in an older population at high risk of falling.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the level of uptake of occupational therapists' home environmental audit recommendations by older community dwellers and the factors that contribute to adherence.


METHODS



METHODS
Cohort nested within an RCT that compared two models of care for fall prevention located in Brisbane, Australia.


METHODS
Community-dwelling older people >60 at risk of falls (n = 80).


METHODS
An environmental audit and recommendations by an occupational therapist.


RESULTS
Of the recommendations made, 55% were completed by 6 months. Increasing number of comorbidities was a significant predictor of adherence with recommendations. Recommendations requiring external providers were more likely to be completed than those relying on the client or family member.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational therapists need to consider a wide range of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which may contribute to adherence with home modifications.
Queensland Health, Community Rehabilitation Service, Primary and Community Health-Metro South HSD, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. michelle_currin@health.qld.gov.au
Michelle L
ML
Currin
Tracy A
TA
Comans
Kathy
K
Heathcote
Terry P
TP
Haines
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services; D015897:Comorbidity; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011793:Queensland; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors