Housing Assessment Tools Developed or Adapted for Use in East and Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

Environmental hazards as risk factors for trips and slips at home among Japanese older people: A pilot study toward the development of a self-assessment tool for the home environment

AIM

Housing structures differ according to the local culture, climate, and lifestyle, and these unique characteristics usually act as potential hazards for falls, trips, and slips. The purpose of this study was to identify environmental hazards in a Japanese house and their association with falls, trips, and slips among older people.

METHODS

A total of 97 older people aged ≥75 years were included in this cross-sectional study. The number of environmental hazards was measured using a 46-item tool designed specifically for this study, and the associations of environmental hazards with falls, trips, and slips were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

All houses had at least one environmental hazard, and 3-30 environmental hazards were identified. Although the number of environmental hazards was not associated with falls experienced during the past 6 months, a greater number of environmental hazards at home was correlated with the daily experience of trips and slips (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.18). The association remained significant even after adjusting for demographic characteristics and other fall risk factors (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02-1.21).

CONCLUSION

We found that Japanese housing structures had unique environmental hazards that might cause trips and slips in older people. Appropriate housing assessments and modifications may help to promote aging-in-place among older people. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 305-310.

Stroke Rehabilitation for Falls and Risk of Falls in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review With Stakeholders' Consultation

Background: Research on rehabilitation for falls after stroke is warranted. However, published evidence on fall interventions with stroke survivors is limited and these are mainly international studies that may be less relevant for Southeast Asia. Objective: This review aims to systematically identify literature related to stroke rehabilitation for falls and risk of falls in Southeast Asia. Methods: A scoping review with stakeholders' consultation was implemented. An electronic search was conducted up to December 2020 on 4 databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ASEAN Citation Index). Only original studies conducted in Southeast Asia were selected. Results: The initial search yielded 3,112 articles, however, only 26 were selected in the final analysis. Most of the articles focused on physical rehabilitation and implemented conventional therapies. While the literature may reflect practice in Southeast Asia, stakeholders perceived that the literature was inadequate to show true practice, was not informative and missed several aspects such as functional, cognitive, and psychological interventions in managing falls. Individual-centric interventions dominated the review while community-based and environmental-focused studies were limited. Majority of the articles were written by physiotherapists while others were from physicians, occupational therapists, and an engineer but few from other healthcare practitioners (i.e., speech therapists, psychologists) or disciplines interested in falls. Conclusions: Falls prevention among stroke survivors has received a lack of attention and is perceived as an indirect goal in stroke rehabilitation in Southeast Asia. More innovative research adopted from falls research with older people is needed to advance falls prevention and intervention practice with stroke survivors.