Lessons Learned from Implementing a Programme of Home Modifications to Prevent Falls amongst the General Population
Michael D. Keall,
Philippa Howden-Chapman,
Nevil Pierse,
Chris W. Cunningham,
Michael G. Baker
Affiliations
Michael D. Keall
He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand
Philippa Howden-Chapman
He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand
Nevil Pierse
He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand
Chris W. Cunningham
Research Centre for Māori Health and Development, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, P.O. Box 756, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Michael G. Baker
He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand
Home fall injuries amongst the general population are common and costly. In the Home Injury Prevention Intervention (HIPI) trial, we showed that 26% of medically treated home fall injuries could be prevented by a package of home modifications undertaken by qualified builders. This paper describes how we addressed unexpected safety issues associated with the implementation of the programme. Following the intervention, we ensured that participants could contact the builders. We monitored any problems or issues over a two-year period. We also held public meetings to explain the results of the study and record participants’ comments about the trial. Generally, people were satisfied with the modifications. However, there were clear safety issues with particular modifications and we revisited homes to address these. These findings highlight the need to allocate some resources for monitoring and remediation work to follow up interventions, and also a need for some regulation of the quality of safety products.
