Table 1.
Potential Risk Factor Variables Measured With the RAI-HC
| Risk Factor Category | Potential Risk Factor | Definition |
| Demographic characteristics | Older age groups, y | 65–74, 75–84, 85+ |
| Female | ||
| Diagnoses | Osteoporosis | Diagnosis of osteoporosis OR receiving osteoporosis medication |
| Parkinson's disease | Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease | |
| Arthritis | Diagnosis of arthritis | |
| Functional status | ADL impairment | ADL hierarchy scale of 2 or more, indicating at least limited impairment |
| ADL decline | ADL status has become worse in past 90 d | |
| Ambulation aide | Cane, walker or crutch | |
| Falls | One or more falls in past 90 d | |
| Unsteady gait | Assessment of unsteady gait | |
| Visual impairment | At least moderate impairment | |
| Vision decline | Decline in vision in past 90 d | |
| Inactivity | Less than 2 hours activity/wk | |
| Cognitive status | Cognitive impairment | Cognitive performance scale of 3 or more, indicating at least moderate impairment |
| Delirium | Sudden change in mental function over last 7 d | |
| Agitation or disorientation | Has become agitated or disoriented in last 90 d (possible indicator of delirium) | |
| Psychosocial status | Depression | Depression Rating Scale of 3 or more, indicating major or minor depression |
| Antidepressant use | Antidepressant use in last 7 d | |
| No. of days out of house | In a typical week over last 30 d | |
| Living alone | Living alone on referral | |
| Health status | Self-rated health | Client rates health as poor |
| Unintended weight loss | Of 5% or more in last 30 d | |
| Severe malnutrition | Severe malnutrition or cachexia | |
| Morbid obesity | Assessment of morbid obesity | |
| Health instability (frailty) | MDS-CHESS of 2 or more symptoms indicating frailty or instability | |
| Health behaviors | Tobacco use | Smoked or chewed tobacco daily |
| Drinking alcohol | Has been told to cut down | |
| Environmental hazards | Lighting | Inadequate lighting in evening |
| Flooring | Flooring or carpeting hazardous (eg, scatter rugs) | |
| Bathroom | Hazardous bathroom (eg, slippery bathtub) | |
| Kitchen | Hazardous kitchen (eg, dangerous stove) | |
| Access to home | Difficulty entering/leaving home | |
| Access to rooms in home | Hazardous access (eg, unable to climb stairs) |
Note: MDS-CHESS = Minimum Data Set–Changes in Health, End-stage disease, and Symptoms and Signs; RAI-HC = Resident Assessment Instrument/MDS-Home Care assessment instrument (RAI-HC) ADL = activities of daily living.