Evaluation de l'environnement

Ageing at home is a wish shared by many older adults. However, staying in one's own home requires that it be adapted to one's abilities and needs. It is therefore essential that older adults' homes can be easily assessed and adapted if necessary. Currently, there is no comprehensive tool that provides a global view of the material and social environment in which an individual lives. 

In this context, the aim of our study was to develop a tool that would, on the one hand, identify environmental elements in the home that are likely to cause difficulties and, on the other hand, highlight situations in which an in-depth assessment of the home environment would be necessary (e.g. by an occupational therapist, expert in home assessment).

To achieve this aim, we conducted a Delphi study to obtain the opinions of various health professionals with experience in home care. Participants were asked three times to give their opinion on the content of the tool. This led to the development of a comprehensive assessment tool comprising 205 items divided into four categories: 

1. Basic information about the inhabitant and their home
2. Inhabitant’s level of independence and autonomy
3. Home
4. Tools and means at the inhabitant’s disposition.

The next objective of this project is to develop a second version of the tool, specifically designed for direct use by older people who wish to assess their homes.

In collaboration with:

• Rob de Bie, Maastricht University
• Carolien Bastiaenen, Maastricht University