Authors (including presenting author) :
Chiu WY (1), Lo WY (1), Lee T (1), Lam CM (1) and Chan WY (1)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, NTWC
Keyword 2: :
Occupational Therapy
Keyword 3: :
Home Screening
Keyword 4: :
Fall Prevention
Introduction :
With an ageing population, rising chronic illness and a growing emphasis on community-based care, demand for occupational therapy home visit continues to rise. Telehealth offers a promising solution by enabling home assessments using smartphones, increasing staff capacity and allowing real-time remote assessments. However, literature highlights technical challenges, particularly the limited digital skills of many elderly individuals.
Objectives :
(1) To examine the feasibility and reliability of utilizing telehealth remote assessment for home screening, including observation of a patient’s home environment, in reducing falls and home hazards
(2) To explore the perceptions of patients and caregivers regarding these assessments and recommendations provided by occupational therapists (OTs).
Methodology :
A pre-post evaluation design was adopted. OTs invited fallers with potential home hazards to participate and assessed their home environments in real time. Patients and caregivers facilitated the assessments by guiding therapists through their homes using smartphones, identifying potential hazards. Therapists observed task performance and environmental interactions to identify risks and provide recommendations on home alternations, environmental modifications and use of assistive devices. Outcomes measures were collected at baseline and discharge, including fall frequency, fall risks levels (Fall Risk Assessment Scale for the Elderly), and home hazards scores (Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tools) and responses to a post-evaluation questionnaire.
Result & Outcome :
Between 1 April, 2025 and 31 December, 2025, 21 patients were completed telehealth home screening. Significant reductions were observed in both fall frequency (mean difference = –1.29, p < 0.0001) and home hazard scores (mean difference = –3.23, p < 0.001). Most participants were classified as medium-risk fallers (mean = 10.4), with strong associations between functional performance and home safety. Commonly identified hazards included loose floor mats, cluttered pathways, and absence of handrails. Early detection and remedial recommendations demonstrated potential in minimizing fall risks and adverse outcomes. Post-evaluation surveys (n = 15) indicated high satisfaction, with 80% of respondents rating the telehealth assessments as effective. Participants specifically valued communication clarity, safety recommendations, and overall accessibility, though some noted occasional technical or connectivity challenges. The findings demonstrate that remote home assessments can achieve comparable outcomes in reducing falls and environmental hazards while maintaining high levels of patient and caregiver satisfaction. Telehealth also enables therapists to reach a greater number of individuals, thereby improving access to crucial fall prevention services.
