The effect of educational intervention by nurses on home environmental risk factors for falls

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of environmental safety hazards in the homes of people aged 65 years and above, and to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention by nurses on the incidence of home environmental risk factors for falls, and on the perception of the safety of the home environment. Design: The study was a non-randomized single-arm pre-post intervention study. Methods: The sample consisted of 106 elderly patients living in their homes in the Czech Republic. The intervention involved individual education about home hazards, including the provision of a free educational leaflet and emergency call sticker, and advice regarding home environment modification and safety devices. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the number of risk factors before and after the intervention (p < 0.001). After the intervention the elderly subjects perceived their home environment as being less safe than they had before. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that home environmental risk factors for falls can be reduced by a well-prepared educational intervention.