Strategies for Preventing Falls in the Elderly: Focus on Home Hazard Modification and Multifactorial Interventions

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health concern among older adults, being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to fall risk, necessitating effective prevention strategies. While various interventions exist, literature presents mixed findings regarding the effectiveness of home hazard modification alone versus multifactorial interventions that incorporate multiple strategies, including home safety improvements. Hence, Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of home hazard modification and multifactorial intervention in preventing falls among the elderly and to evaluate the impact of home hazard modification as a standalone risk-reduction strategy. Methods: An electronic literature search was performed using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Based on the PRISMA framework, 28 articles were initially retrieved. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, six randomized controlled trials were selected for review. Results: Home hazard modification showed a positive outcome in reducing falls when compared to multifactorial interventions in terms of primary and secondary outcome measures. Although home hazard modification demonstrated effectiveness in fall reduction, it may not address other critical aspects such as balance, endurance, and physical activity levels. Conclusion: A multifactorial intervention, incorporating home hazard modification along with other targeted strategies, may offer a more comprehensive and effective approach for fall prevention in older adults. Key words: aged, environmental modification, exercise therapy, fall prevention, home safety, risk factors.