A Scoping Review of Epidemiological, Ergonomic, and Longitudinal Cohort Studies Examining the Links between Stair and Bathroom Falls and the Built Environment

Abstract

Stair and bathroom falls contribute to injuries among older adults. This review examined which features of stairs and bathrooms have been assessed in epidemiological, ergonomic, and national aging studies on falls or their risk factors. Epidemiological and ergonomic studies were eligible if published from 2006–2017, written in English, included older persons, and reported built environment measures. The data extracted included the following: study population and design, outcome measures, and stair and bathroom features. National aging studies were eligible if English questionnaires were available, and if data were collected within the last 10 years. Sample characteristics; data collection methods; and data about falls, the environment, and assistive device use were extracted. There were 114 eligible articles assessed—38 epidemiologic and 76 ergonomic. Among epidemiological studies, 2 assessed stair falls only, 4 assessed bathroom falls only, and 32 assessed falls in both locations. Among ergonomic studies, 67 simulated stairs and 9 simulated bathrooms. Specific environmental features were described in 14 (36.8%) epidemiological studies and 73 (96%) ergonomic studies. Thirteen national aging studies were identified—four had stair data and six had bathroom data. Most epidemiologic and national aging studies did not include specific measures of stairs or bathrooms; the built environment descriptions in ergonomic studies were more detailed. More consistent and detailed environmental measures in epidemiologic and national aging studies would better inform fall prevention approaches targeting the built environment.

Health Risks and Safety Assessments of the Bathrooms for the Elderly in Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand

“…They have more chances to fall on the floor. These results were consistent with the previous study that found the danger of toilet or bathroom was falling [4,10,11,12,13]. The muscle strength in the upper and lower limbs of the elderly was degenerating, visual impairment, physical weakness, motion and sensory function decreases affected their balance ability [13,14].…”

Feasibility of Rapidly Developing and Widely Disseminating Patient Decision Aids to Respond to Urgent Decisional Needs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The PtDAs included a self-assessment to determine if personal care needs could be met at the family’s home, a home safety assessment, and suggestions to discuss care needs with current care providers. 20 – 22 Statements for the values-clarification exercise were informed by public responses to media reports. The final PtDAs met all IPDAS criteria (qualifying criteria, criteria to minimize risk of bias).…”

Relationship between Fall History and Self-Perceived Motor Fitness in Community-Dwelling People: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Even if fall risk factors such as BMI, types of medication, disease and social frailty are adjusted, it was shown that climbing stairs should be an area of concern among older people. Stairs are an environment where the risk of falling is high [ 29 ]. However, almost no objective characteristics that can prevent falls have been identified [ 30 ].…”