Better community and residential environments were associated with lower risk of incident cognitive impairment among 10,471 middle-aged and older adults followed from 2011 to 2020. Reduced risk was observed for garbage disposal services (HR 0.807), open-air fitness equipment (HR 0.834), accessibility for handicapped individuals (HR 0.948), presence of a social organization for older adults (HR 0.838), concrete and steel buildings versus adobe or other types (HR 0.813), running water supply (HR 0.847), broadband connectivity (HR 0.650), clean energy use (HR 0.957) and indoor tidiness (HR 0.875). Residing in relaxed rather than crowded residential environments was associated with a 3.8% higher risk (HR 1.038). The authors concluded that community and residential planning should prioritize both basic social and environmental factors and the internal built environment to help prevent cognitive impairment.

Participants spent less time and walked a shorter distance in the redesigned bedroom layout than the original, and the redesign improved motion smoothness during daily activities; postures adopted also differed between layouts. The authors concluded that bedroom repurposing improves home accessibility for people with and without mobility issues, by directly connecting the bed with the bathroom and replacing the panel door with a pocket door, and by removing door access to the closet and incorporating it into the bedroom.

Associations were found between indoor home environment factors and fear of falling across 24 studies, suggesting the importance of home modifications to create a supportive environment that reduces FOF. Because most included studies were experimental and intervened on single or multiple IHE factors, the authors characterized the evidence as reasonably strong.

Seven distinct themes specific to unmet needs emerged from interviews with people living with dementia, family care partners, nursing home staff and aging policy experts: (1) assistance with activities of daily living and basic home maintenance; (2) resources and services; (3) treatment-related services; (4) socialization; (5) individual preferences; (6) function of the home, including unaddressed home modification needs; and (7) equipped, available and supported family. The authors noted that many nursing home placements are avoidable given that equivalent care is possible in community settings.

Thirteen of 20 included studies (65%) confirmed the effectiveness of home modifications in fall prevention, functional independence and cost savings, while seven (35%) highlighted housing accessibility and lifestyle factors. Few studies examined personalized interventions, smart home technologies or long-term adaptability. The author concluded that personalized, technology-driven and long-term adaptable home modifications are needed, and that future research should explore smart home innovations, interdisciplinary approaches and policy implementation feasibility.

Sixteen outcomes were identified across 38 included articles: 14 positive and two negative. Positive outcomes included reduction in falls and falls risk and enhanced quality of life for community-dwelling adults aged 50 and over and their family carers.

Environmental risk scores fell significantly across all areas of the home (Z = −4.472, p < 0.001) among 32 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 71.3 ± 6.4). Quality of life improved significantly on both the physical (Z = −3.781, p < 0.001) and mental (Z = −2.096, p = 0.036) components of the SF-12. The authors concluded that low-cost, individualised home modifications can reduce environmental risk and enhance both physical and mental quality of life, supporting ageing in place and the integration of environmental assessment into routine occupational therapy practice.

The Home Usability Program intervention decreased exertion among people with mobility disabilities, according to pre-post measures and participant interviews. Decreased exertion produced further benefits including more time for other activities, improved socialization, enhanced independence and the potential to engage in activities outside the home. The intervention also increased safety, which positively affected mental well-being and independence.

Individuals living in homes with better physical environments, such as barrier-free facilities, and more utilities, such as water and electricity, reported lower risk of mobility limitations and depressive symptoms.

OAHMP implementation produced significant improvements in self-care activities of daily living and home safety among 65 participants (average age 72, 95.4% women, 87.7% Black or African American, 81.5% living alone), with significant positive relationships between health status and improved independence in ADLs and instrumental ADLs. Participants met or partially met 91% of personal goals, and the average cost of home modifications was significantly lower than national averages. The authors concluded that the program enhances ADL independence and home safety in low-income, diverse communities and supports aging in place through client-centered modifications and interprofessional collaboration.

Significant disparities were found between the required and current levels of all 11 key support services for people with spinal cord injury in South Korea. The highest priority services were support for caregiver costs, livelihood security, health management and home modification. Among the 532 community-dwelling participants, 70.1% were male and average age was 49.6 years.

Most individuals without home adaptations and assistive products were dissatisfied with their living conditions (36/48, 75%) and felt unsafe at home (33/48, 69%), whereas experienced users reported higher satisfaction (21/36, 58%) and safety confidence (25/36, 69%), and 75% (27/36) reported improved participation skills. Significant between-group differences were found for perspectives on home conditions, living environment and assistive products (P < .001), confidence in safety (P < .001), and skills for home engagement (P < .03). Both groups recognized the benefits: 94% (45/48) and 91% (33/36) agreed the adaptations improve daily functioning, and 95% (46/48) and 92% (33/36) agreed they reduce accident risks. Social participation was significantly enhanced (P < .04), though financial constraints were reported as a barrier.

Many interventions led to improved health outcomes across 20 included reviews encompassing over 3.1 million participants, including enhanced functional ability, reduced hospital readmissions and increased satisfaction. Effectiveness varied depending on intervention type, delivery model and population. Challenges included caregiver burden, digital exclusion and implementation in diverse settings. The authors concluded that home healthcare interventions are promising but require context-sensitive, equitable and scalable models.

Falls within 2 weeks after total knee arthroplasty occurred in 33.57% of 140 patients, most often at the home entrance (29.09%), in the living room (23.64%) and in the bathroom (18.18%). Falls were associated with inefficient grab bars (adjusted OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.37–7.81, P = 0.008) and lighting (adjusted OR 12.83, 95% CI 1.36–121.34, P = 0.026). About 38.5% of patients explicitly needed home modifications. The authors concluded that preoperative home assessment and home modifications should be done to minimize fall risk, particularly in common fall locations.

Home hazard modification produced a positive outcome in reducing falls compared with multifactorial interventions on both primary and secondary outcome measures across six included randomized controlled trials. Although effective for fall reduction, it did not address other critical aspects such as balance, endurance and physical activity levels. The authors concluded that a multifactorial intervention incorporating home hazard modification alongside other targeted strategies may offer a more comprehensive and effective approach to fall prevention.

At 16 weeks the experimental group experienced a significantly larger reduction in falls than the comparison group (incidence rate ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.04–0.92; p = 0.04) across 250 older persons in four Thai villages. Participants also showed significant improvements in fall prevention behaviors, physical performance and environmental modifications. The authors concluded that the program effectively reduced falls and improved safety behaviors, indicating the feasibility and potential impact of community-driven fall prevention in similar settings.

Sixty-two of 90 participants (69%) completed CAPABLE, with health decline, death or move to a skilled nursing facility the primary reasons for non-completion. Participants set an average of 4.5 goals (range 1–6), most commonly in bathing, functional mobility and pain. Home modification costs averaged $943 per participant, most commonly grab bars (33%), railings (16%) and lighting (15%). Satisfaction scores were high for number of visits, program length, home modifications and goal attainment. Preliminary outcomes suggested that delivering CAPABLE through an area agency on aging is a feasible and acceptable approach to supporting self-identified aging-in-place goals.

The intervention was found to be feasible and appeared to have positive effects on aging, community-dwelling adults with poor health, functional limitations, and limited mobility.

The most successful interventions involved an occupational therapist. Home modifications helped preserve the autonomy of patients and preventing falls.

Home modifications can help prevent falls, enhance the aging in place experience, and support needs after a hospital stay.

The outcomes after a home modification that mattered to the participants were the improvement of emotional and physical health and safety, the independence and empowerment to stay at home, and the ability to plan for the future.

Numerous difficulties relating to the home environment exist, particularly relating to grab bars, stairs, and challenges reaching trash containers

Changes made to the home like the ones describes can prevent falls and improve home safety.

All studies included in the review showed improvement in activities of daily living among older adults.

Removing environmental barriers in the home would have the greatest effects on aging adults with complex functional needs, but would also mitigate accessibility problems faced by all community-dwelling aging adults.

Home modifications can help reduce the number of falls among community-dwelling older adults. To be most successful, interventions should be individualized to the older adult's particular needs.

Mortality among older adults with home modifications was lower than among those with no modifications.

High quality of life and improved occupational performance and satisfaction were the results of the intervention.

Home modifications were found to reduce the hours of care provided, showing that this intervention can reduce care needs.

Average spending per patient was $528 as part of this program. Mount Sinai staff reported the program was feasible and decreased burnout.

Occupational therapist involvement in modifications supplemented with clinical, physical activity, and/or behavioral components showed the most success.

Falls can be reduced by thorough and focused home modifications with follow-up.

Most interventions scored low using GRADE criteria and limited evidence exists comparing the interventions to outcomes.

Using self-reported home safety assessments, researchers found that older adults experience barriers related to home mobility and safety, home improvement and maintenance needs, and general safety and bathroom safety.

The program increased participation in the community for people with mobility disabilities.

External housing modifications reduced falls, pain, poor health, and the probability of no social activities and moving homes. Internal modifications had similar but less consistent effects.

Outcome measures such as physical tests and fall screening tools showed significant improvement. No difference was recorded in mobility, self-care, usual activities, or pain or discomfort scales.

The intervention resulted in increased safety and decreased exertion, leading to more time for other activities, including those outside the home, and enhanced socialization and independence.

The program was found to be cost effective and to produce meaningful health gain.

Interventions with home modifications were found to have the greatest potential for impact.

No consistent trends were found across all profiles.

Reduction in the rates of falls and injuries caused by falls at home were found in intervention group.

Home modifications were found to improve the function of people with a variety of health conditions, reduce falls among older adults, and improve caregiving for people with dementia.

The intervention addressed risk factors for Chagas disease and improved emotional, economic, and social wellbeing

Independence was improved, and the difficulty of activities of daily living at home were decreased. Overall risk factors in the home significantly decreased, particularly in the bedroom and bathroom.

A slight majority of the older adults had bathroom modifications and half had more than one fall. About 40% of adults with more than one fall did not have bathroom modifications.

Performance of activities increased after intervention. Increase in independence, difficulty, and safety was maintained after 6 months.