The Cost-Effectiveness of Home Assessment and Modification to Reduce Falls in the Elderly: A Decision-Analytic Modelling Approach

A modelling exercise was conducted to assess the cost effectiveness of home assessment and modification to reduce falls in the elderly. The model was designed to simulate the costs and consequences of a fall to the elderly over a one year period. The model was developed using the results of published studies related to falls and injuries in the elderly. The intervention was assumed to reduce the fall incidence in the intervention group. The cost effectiveness of the proposed intervention was measured in terms of incremental cost per fall prevented and injury prevented. The model predicted that the home assessment and modification to reduce fall in the elderly would incur an incremental cost $17,210 for a fall-injury prevented.