title: The effectiveness of environment assessment tools to guide refurbishment of Australian residential aged care facilities: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine applicability of environment assessment tools in guiding minor refurbishments of Australian residential aged care facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies conducted in residential aged care settings using assessment tools which address the physical environment were eligible for inclusion in a systematic review. Given these studies are limited, tools which have not yet been utilised in research settings were also included. Tools were analysed using a critical appraisal screen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three publications met the inclusion criteria. Ten environment assessment tools were identified, of which four addressed all seven minor refurbishment domains of lighting, colour and contrast, sound, flooring, furniture, signage and way finding. Only one had undergone reliability and validity testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are four tools which may be suitable to use for minor refurbishment of Australian residential aged care facilities. Data on their reliability, validity and quality are limited.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neylon
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulsara
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D004777:Environment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans
keywords: evidence-based facility design; facility design and construction; homes for the aged; nursing homes