Latent Profiles of Home Environmental Modifications Use in the Women’s Health Initiative

Abstract Aim Identify common home environmental modifications used by aging women to preserve independence with latent class analysis (LCA). Methods A cross-sectional survey was collected from 71,257 women in the Women’s Health Initiative October 2013 to December 2014. Information was gathered regarding women’s health and use of common home modifications. Descriptive measures characterized the women, and LCA identified patterns of usage. Results Fifty-five percent of women, ages 64–98 years, reported home modifications; more commonly among older women reporting poorer function. The most common strategies included grab bars (31%) and decluttering (26%). Analyses indicated four latent groups: limited use (56%), hand rails and grab bars (21%), lighting and decluttering (18%), and multi-use (5%). Conclusions These findings identify patterns of home environmental modifications from a large cohort of aging women. Women most often used fall prevention devices and cleaned and brightened space to preserve independence at home.