Health Factors Affecting Home Modifications in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Bernard A Steinman, Mengzhao Yan, Jon Pynoos
Primary Institution: University of Wyoming, University of Southern California
Hypothesis
Health dimensions influence the likelihood of older adults implementing home modifications.
Conclusion
Older adults with more functional impairments and disabilities are more likely to implement home modifications to support independent living.
Supporting Evidence
- Older age, being married, and having more functional impairments increase the likelihood of implementing home modifications.
- Each additional functional limitation increases the risk of implementing toilet modifications by 12% and shower/tub modifications by 4%.
- Hispanics are less likely to implement home modifications compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
Takeaway
Older people often make changes to their homes to stay safe and comfortable as they get older, especially if they have health issues.
Methodology
Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) was analyzed using Cox regression to examine health dimensions and home modification implementation.
Participant Demographics
Older community-dwelling adults, with a focus on differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White individuals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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