Impact of Aging and Fall Prevention Education on Skills for Designing Aging-Friendly Residential Environments

As societies enter an era of super-aging, falls among the elderly have emerged as a critical issue in residential safety. Older adults often face physical, economic, and informational barriers that prevent them from improving their home environments. This study aimed to examine how education on fall prevention and aging-friendly housing design affects the spatial awareness and planning capabilities of younger generations. A single-group pre- and post-intervention study was conducted with 71 undergraduate students from Y University. The educational module addressed the relationship between aging, fall risk factors, and residential environments through lectures, visual materials, and a housing floor plan activity. Participants were asked to identify and annotate fall prevention elements before and after the intervention. The results revealed statistically significant improvements (p < .001) in the number of applied elements (from 8.20 to 11.06), the number of spaces with applied considerations (from 4.96 to 5.32), and the diversity of design factors per space (from 23.13 to 30.38). Notable increases were found in the application of anti-slip flooring (+21.3%), safety handles (+22.2%), and ergonomic furniture (+46.0%). A particularly high rate of change was observed in previously overlooked areas, such as storage spaces and entrances. Participants demonstrated a cognitive shift from isolated hazard mitigation toward more integrated thinking focused on spatial mobility, user flow, and the relationship between connected environments. These findings indicate that fall prevention education not only increases awareness but also strengthens participants’ ability to apply practical, multidimensional, and user-centered design strategies. The study highlights the potential of such programs to equip future professionals with the competencies needed to address residential safety challenges in super-aged societies through socially responsive and interdisciplinary education.