HOW TO IDENTIFY HOME ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN OLDER ADULTS? AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSING FALL RISK AT HOME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/t0p68m30Keywords:
geriatrics, aged, Accidental Falls, Home EnvironmentAbstract
Introduction: Falls in the home environment represent an important health problem among older adults and are often associated with modifiable environmental factors. In this context, assessment tools have been used to identify household risks and support interventions aimed at promoting safety and preventing falls. Objective: To identify instruments available in the scientific literature that assess home environmental risks, their characteristics, and how their application may impact environmental factors related to falls among older adults. Methods: This integrative literature review included studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Searches were conducted in the SciELO electronic library and the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Scopus (Elsevier) databases without the use of filters. Only original studies and instruments designed to assess the home environment were considered. Study selection was performed independently by two reviewers using the Rayyan screening platform. Results: Of the 2,514 articles identified, 14 were included in the review. The most frequently described instrument was the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST), followed by the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool (HSSAT). Both instruments stood out as pragmatic tools for identifying environmental risk factors for falls in the home setting. Conclusion: Although no single instrument fully addresses the diverse demands of home fall-risk assessment, HOME FAST emerged as a practical tool for this purpose. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to support the development of environmental adaptation strategies aimed at preventing falls among older adults.
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