Home Modification Outcomes in the Residences of Older People as a Result of Cougar Home Safety Assessment (Version 4.0) Recommendations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if recommendations made as a result of the administration of the Cougar Home Safety Assessment Version 4.0 (CHSA 4.0) were effective in causing older residents to make environmental safety modifications in their homes. Initial data were collected during the administration of the CHSA 4.0 in the homes of 40 older people in four northeastern states. After completing the initial assessments, the researchers provided the participants with recommendations for improving the environmental safety of their homes. Approximately one month later, each home was reassessed with the CHSA 4.0. Overall, improvement in environmental safety was demonstrated in the homes with the greatest increases being in fire safety, emergency phone number placement, and bathroom safety. A t-test demonstrated a significant gain in compliance (t = 7.8, p < .001) by comparing the difference between the mean initial and reassessment home safety scores. A very large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.7) was also found, indicating a high magnitude of difference between initial and reassessment safety ratings. The assessment proved to be beneficial in increasing the environmental safety of homes.

The Clinimetric Properties of Instruments Measuring Home Hazards for Older People at Risk of Falling: A Systematic Review

“…Thus, a shorter version of the Enabler was developed with fewer items requiring less time to complete the instrument while retaining the psychometric strengths of the original version (Carlsson et al, 2009). Similarly, the COUGAR instrument has established psychometric properties but has received low interest by practitioners for use in practice (Fisher et al, 2007, 2008). In contrast, the WeHSA has evidence of content validity and inter-rater reliability only but is considered the “gold standard” home hazards instrument and is accepted for use in practice by occupational therapists (Fabre, Ellis, Kosma, & Wood, 2010; Tzingounakis, 2012).…”

A field test of the Cougar Home Safety Assessment (version 2.0) in the homes of older persons living alone

“…Over half the recommendations given in that investigation were acted upon. Another research group is currently constructing a fourth version of the Cougar (Fisher, Civitella, & Perez, 2006), through the formulation of a disaster preparedness section. A Delphi survey of experts will be conducted to establish content validity of the instrument.…”