Home Care Services, Home Health Care
Conditions
Keywords
Home Care Services, Patient Safety, Environmental Hazards, Caregivers, Risk Assessment
Brief summary
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess home environmental risks and caregiver awareness among individuals receiving home healthcare services. It also examined factors associated with caregivers' awareness of these risks. The main questions addressed in this study were: * How common were environmental risks in home care settings? * To what extent were caregivers aware of these risks? * Which factors were associated with caregiver awareness of home environmental risks? Participants receiving home healthcare services and their caregivers were evaluated during routine home visits. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and a home environmental risk checklist.
Detailed description
This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate home environmental risks and caregiver awareness among individuals receiving home healthcare services. Home care settings represent a complex care environment in which patient safety may be compromised by various environmental hazards. Despite the high prevalence of such risks, caregiver awareness and recognition remain limited, which may affect the safety and quality of care delivered in home settings. The study population consisted of patients who applied to home healthcare services affiliated with a public hospital in Istanbul between January 20 and March 1, 2026, and their caregivers. Participants were evaluated during routine home visits. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and a home environmental risk checklist developed based on existing home safety recommendations. The checklist was used to identify potential environmental hazards within the home setting. In addition, caregivers' awareness of these risks and their perceptions regarding the modifiability of risks were assessed. Home environmental risks were categorized according to their level of modifiability as easy, moderate, or difficult, based on the type of intervention required. Caregiver-related factors, including prior information, caregiving experience, and sociodemographic characteristics, were also recorded. The study aimed to describe the frequency of home environmental risks, assess the level of caregiver awareness, and examine factors associated with awareness. In addition, perceived barriers to risk mitigation, such as financial constraints and unsuitable housing conditions, were evaluated to better understand the structural challenges affecting home safety.
Interventions
OTHERObservation
No intervention was administered. This observational study involved the assessment of home environmental risks and caregiver awareness during routine home healthcare visits.
Sponsors
Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Caregivers of individuals receiving home healthcare services during the study period * Caregivers who were present during routine home visits * Caregivers who agreed to participate and provided informed responses * Caregivers without communication barriers (e.g., language-related difficulties)
Exclusion criteria
* Caregivers in households where an acute medical condition requiring urgent intervention was present at the time of the visit * Caregivers who declined to participate or were unable to complete the assessment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Presence of home environmental risks | baseline | The proportion of households with at least one identified environmental risk, including fall-related hazards (slippery floors, inadequate lighting, clutter), risks related to medical device use, and structural safety problems within the home environment, assessed using a structured home safety checklist. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Caregiver awareness of home environmental risks | baseline | The proportion of caregivers who correctly reported the presence of environmental risks in the home, based on comparison with risks identified through the structured home safety checklist. |
| Barriers to addressing home environmental risks | baseline | Caregiver-reported barriers to addressing environmental risks in the home, including financial constraints, unsuitable housing conditions, and other perceived limitations. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed