01900nas a2200169   4500000000100000008004100001653002400042653001200066100002600078700001200104700001200116245009900128300003700227490000700264050000600271520145300277       2006                            d10aPeer Reviewed Paper10aChecked1 aSherrington Catherine1 aMenz H.1 aLord S.00aHome environment risk factors for falls in older people and the efficacy of home modifications  aii55-ii59. [Impact Factor 1.910]0 v35  aN3 a<p>
Most homes contain potential hazards, and many older people attribute their falls to trips or slips inside the home or immediate home surroundings. However, the existence of home hazards alone is insufficient to cause falls, and the interaction between an older person's physical abilities and their exposure to environmental stressors appears to be more important. Taking risks or impulsivity may further elevate falls risk. Some studies have found that environmental hazards contribute to falls to a greater extent in older vigorous people than in older frail people. This appears to be due to increased exposure to falls hazards with an increase in the proportion of such falls occurring outside the home. There may also be a non-linear pattern between mobility and falls associated with hazards. Household environmental hazards may pose the greatest risk for older people with fair balance, whereas those with poor balance are less exposed to hazards and those with good mobility are more able to withstand them. Reducing hazards in the home appears not to be an effective falls-prevention strategy in the general older population and those at low risk of falls. Home hazard reduction is effective if targeted at older people with a history of falls and mobility limitations. The effectiveness may depend on the provision of concomitant training for improving transfer abilities and other strategies for effecting behaviour change.
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