The Home Environment Survey assesses home environmental hazards related to falls among older adults. It consists of a set of 19 hazards, and the assessment takes approximately 15 minutes on average to complete. Accessibility and lighting are the main categories of housing quality indicators that it assesses.
Specifically, the tool evaluates home environment hazards related to lighting, light switches, flooring, furniture, storage areas and stairways. It also evaluates hazards related to the bathroom such as the lack of non-slip surfaces, grab bars and raised toilet seats. Respondent self-report is used to assess hazards like overall room illumination and use of bathmats and frequency of changing nightlights. The health professional directly observes hazards that change very little such as floor types, cabinet heights and light switches. It is rated based on the presence or absence of each hazard.
Health status and risk factors Disability, Functional decline, Fall risk
Age group Older Adults
Assessor Older adults; trained interviewers
Sections / items 19 items
Duration 15 mins
Self-administered Yes
Multi-component Self reporting and observer questionnaire
Indicators Accessibility; lighting; home hazards
Authors Rodriguez, J. G., Baughman, A. L., Sattin, R. W., deVito, C. A., Ragland, D. L. et al.
Publication date 1995
Rodriguez, J. G., Baughman, A. L., Sattin, R. W., deVito, C. A., Ragland, D. L., Bacchelli, S., & Stevens, J. A. (1995). A standardized instrument to assess hazards for falls in the home of older persons. Accident: Analysis and Prevention, 27(5), 625-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-4575(95)00016-S