Home Hazard Removal Program to Reduce Falls (HARP)

The Washington University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Accidental Falls

Treatments: Other: Home Modification

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT02392013

MOHHU0024-14

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effectiveness and implementation of a home-hazard removal program to reduce falls in older adults through a community program delivered through the aging services network. The investigators will conduct a hybrid effectiveness/implementation trial of 300 older adults at risk for a fall who will be randomized to a home-hazard removal program or usual care and then followed for 12 months. Investigators will look at the number of falls at 6 months and 12 months.

Full description

The investigators will randomly select a sample of older adults from the large observational cohort of older adults assessed annually by an Area Agendy on Aging via the National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS). The eligibility criteria include age 65 years or older and self-report of one previous fall or more in the preceding 12 months or self-report as "worried about falling." We will conduct baseline assessments and randomize participants to receive an home hazard removal program or usual care. Outcomes (falls, fall self-efficacy) will be assessed by a blinded rater at baseline and 12 months after intervention. All assessments and study visits will occur in participants' homes.

Enrollment: 310 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged 65 years or older and self-report of one previous fall or more in the preceding 12 months or self-report as "worried about falling."

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals residing in nursing homes or individuals with severe cognitive impairment who are unable to give consent to participate (as determined by a score of greater than 10 on the SBT for memory10).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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310 participants in 2 patient groups

Home Modification Group

Experimental group

Description:

A tailored home-modification (home-hazard removal) intervention delivered in the home by occupational therapists over three visits and with a booster session at six months.

Treatment:

Other: Home Modification

Usual Care Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual care by an Area Agency on Aging