Lan Tzuo-Yun, Wu Shwu-Chong, Chang Wen-Chiung, Chen Ching-Yu
Division of Gerontology Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2009 Nov-Dec;49(3):335-8. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2008.11.008. Epub 2009 Jan 4.
Environmental hazards play an important role in the disablement process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between home environmental problems and personal physical function. Data were based on a two-stage nationwide survey and evaluation on the needs of long-term care in Taiwan. A total of 10,596 individuals aged 65 and over were included in this study. These participants were identified with physical or cognitive problems at the screening interview and further evaluated at the second interview on health condition, functional status, needs of long-term care, and home environmental problems. Six items of environmental hazards were assessed at the participants' homes with direct observation. The prevalence rates of home environmental problems were similar among older adults with different levels of physical function. No grab bars (79.6-85.1%) and no protections against slip (81.9-92.8%) in the bathroom were two commonly present hazards in older adults' homes. Older adults with a higher income (Odds ratio=OR=0.75), without income information (OR=0.78) or living with other persons (OR=0.74) were less likely to experience environmental problems at home. Results from this study revealed that home environment condition was associated with factors other than personal disabling conditions for the elderly. Modifying home environment, especially the bathroom, should be attached with great importance for physically disabled older adults.
环境危害在致残过程中起着重要作用。本研究的目的是调查家庭环境问题与个人身体功能之间的关系。数据基于台湾地区一项关于长期护理需求的全国性两阶段调查与评估。本研究共纳入了10596名65岁及以上的个体。这些参与者在筛查访谈中被确定存在身体或认知问题，并在第二次访谈中进一步评估其健康状况、功能状态、长期护理需求和家庭环境问题。通过直接观察在参与者家中评估六项环境危害项目。不同身体功能水平的老年人中家庭环境问题的患病率相似。浴室中没有扶手（79.6 - 85.1%）和没有防滑措施（81.9 - 92.8%）是老年人家庭中两种常见的危害。收入较高的老年人（优势比=OR=0.75）、没有收入信息的老年人（OR=0.78）或与他人同住的老年人（OR=0.74）在家中遇到环境问题的可能性较小。本研究结果表明，家庭环境状况与老年人个人致残状况以外的因素有关。对于身体残疾的老年人，改善家庭环境，尤其是浴室环境，应予以高度重视。
