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The HMinfo Research Library contains an in-depth collection of materials on home modifications and related subjects.

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Home-screen: a short scale to measure fall risk in the home

Public Health Nursing

Author: Johnson, M., Cusick, A., Chang, S.
Year: 2001
Type: Journal Article

Abstract:

Community nurses are often the health professionals with whom older Australians living at home have most contact. The home environment has been identified to have a number of hazards associated with falls in older people. The Home-screen scale was specifically designed as a nurse-administered instrument to identify environmental and behavioral risks that alert nurses to the need for action to reduce fall risks in the home. A 14-item scale was administered to 1,165 older people receiving community nursing services. Psychometric investigation confirmed a 10-item scale with construct validity and internal consistency (alpha = 0.86, n = 989), explaining 60% of the construct of home safety (safe home environment and safe home behaviors). In addition, differences in mean scores were found in clients able and unable to transfer independently (t = 4.5 [df = 323.1] p < 0.001 [Group 1: M = 82.14, SD = 15.56; Group 2: M = 75.54, SD = 20.83, n = 989]). Similarly, an association existed between clients with low scores on the Home-screen scale and the perceived need for home modification. A score of 74 on this scale has been identified as a critical point for potential client injury. The use of this scale, both as an initial screening instrument and as a monitoring tool for community nurses working with older people, is recommended.


Further Details

Publish Dates May - June
Full Title Public Health Nursing
Pages 169-177
Volume 18
Issue 3
Accession Number December, 2010
Research Notes Electronic copy added 21/08/2013
Keywords Australiaolderhousingsafetymodification

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