scholarly journals How older adults would like falls prevention information delivered: fresh insights from a World Café forum

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1179-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDA KHONG ◽  
CAROLINE BULSARA ◽  
KEITH D. HILL ◽  
ANNE-MARIE HILL
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Peer Educators ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Future Design ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
Community Forum ◽  
Alternative Sources

ABSTRACTTranslation of falls prevention evidence into practice is problematic. Understanding older adults’ views about falls prevention information could enhance delivery of falls prevention, resulting in better engagement and uptake of recommended activities. The aim of this study was to examine the views and preferences of community-dwelling older adults about seeking and receiving falls prevention information. A community forum using a modified World Café approach was conducted. Participants discussed five topic areas in small groups, under the guidance of table facilitators. Perspectives were captured on paper. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence participants’ engagement and uptake of information. Seventy-three older adults participated in the forum covering wide-ranging preferences around falls prevention information. Personal experience was considered the key influence on an older adult's decision to initiate seeking information. While health professionals were often approached, alternative sources such as public libraries, peer educators and seniors’ organisations were also favoured as credible sources of information. Older adults proposed falls prevention information should be delivered with a positive tone, coupled with highly valued qualities of respect, empathy and time to listen to foster motivation to engage in recommended activities. Consumer-focused practical strategies were proposed to potentially improve future design, communication and dissemination of falls prevention information. This improvement could enhance engagement of messages and subsequent uptake of falls prevention recommended strategies.

scholarly journals EXPERIENCES AND FACILITATORS OF FALLS PREVENTION AMONG ETHNICALLY DIVERSE OLDER ADULTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S854-S854
Author(s):  
Ladda Thiamwong ◽  
Norma E Conner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
And Behaviors

Abstract Background: Falls increase as people age and decrease the quality of life. Even though fall interventions have received great attention, fall incidence rates have still arisen. In order for older adults to reap the benefits of evidence-based fall interventions, a challenge of implementation in the real world and right context must be met. Understanding experiences, facilitators, and barriers of fall prevention among four major ethnic groups in the Unites States could be extremely valuable. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe experiences and highlight facilitators and barriers on fall and fear of falling interventions among ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Four ethnically specified (African American, Asian, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White) focus groups were conducted. A total of 28 older adults and four family caregivers were interviewed. Interviews covered experiences on falls and fear of falling, attitudes, factors, consequences, risk assessment, and interventions. Data were organized and analyzed with the NViVo software. Results: Falls related experiences and behaviors were multifaceted and varied. Three themes related to falls experiences and behaviors were identified, 1) falls prevention versus fear of falling amplification; 2) role identity, culture and family considerations; and 3) take care of you, take care of me. Facilitators of fall prevention were integration of individual learning within a group meeting, providing appropriate assistive devices and promoting environmental safety. Barriers were inconsistent fall risk assessments, low fall risk awareness and acknowledgment, and balance and visual impairment.

scholarly journals Medications & Polypharmacy Influence on Recurrent Fallers in Community: a Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Ming ◽  
Aleksandra Zecevic
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Prescription Medications ◽  
Recurrent Falls ◽  
Falls In Older Adults ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize information about the impact different classes of medications and polypharmacy have on recurrent falls, defined as two or more falls in a 12-month period, in community-dwelling older adults. After adjustment for confounders such as age, gender, weight or depression symptoms, the reviewed studies suggested that older adults who use antidepressants, sedatives or hypnotics and anti-epileptics were more likely to experience recurrent falls than non-users. Polypharmacy (use of four or more prescription medications daily) caused 1.5–2 times higher possibility of recurrent falls in older adults. As a high-risk group, recurrent fallers require meaningful intervention. Medications are believed to be a modifiable risk factor in falls prevention; hence, special consideration should be taken to balance the benefit and harm in initiating, continuing or increasing certain classes of medications in elderly recurrent fallers.

scholarly journals Older adults, falls and technologies for independent living: a life space approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 829-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
CATHY BAILEY ◽  
TIMOTHY G. FORAN ◽  
CLIODHNA NI SCANAILL ◽  
BEN DROMEY
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Life Space ◽  
Risky Behaviour ◽  
Fear Of Falls

ABSTRACTThis paper draws attention to the need for further understanding of the fine details of routine and taken-for-granted daily activities and mobility. It argues that such understanding is critical if technologies designed to mitigate the negative impacts of falls and fear-of-falling are to provide unobtrusive support for independent living. The reported research was part of a large, multidisciplinary, multi-site research programme into responses to population ageing in Ireland, Technologies for Independent Living (TRIL). A small, exploratory, qualitative life-space diary study was conducted. Working with eight community-dwelling older adults with different experiences of falls or of fear-of-falls, data were collected through weekly life-space diaries, daily-activity logs, two-dimensional house plans and a pedometer. For some participants, self-recording of their daily activities and movements revealed routine, potentially risky behaviour about which they had been unaware, which may have implications for falls-prevention advice. The findings are presented and discussed around four key themes: ‘being pragmatic’, ‘not just a faller’, ‘heightened awareness and blind spots’ and ‘working with technology’. The findings suggest a need to think creatively about how technological and other solutions best fit with people's everyday challenges and needs and of critical importance, that their installation does not reduce an older adult to ‘just a faller’ or a person with a fear-of-falls.

Falls Risks and Prevention Behaviors Among Community-Dwelling Homebound and Non-Homebound Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1085-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carri Casteel ◽  
Jennifer Jones ◽  
Paula Gildner ◽  
James M. Bowling ◽  
Susan J. Blalock
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Homebound Older Adults ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

The objectives were to examine falls risk factors to determine how the magnitude of risk may differ between homebound and non-homebound older adults, and to describe falls prevention behaviors and participation in falls prevention education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with convenience samples of community-dwelling older adults recruited through Meals on Wheels programs (homebound, n = 80) and senior centers (non-homebound, n = 84) in North Carolina. Data were collected during home visits and included an interview and medication inventory. Multivariate negative binomial regression with robust variance estimation modeled risk factors for falls. Risk factors for falls observed in both the homebound and non-homebound populations are consistent with what is known in the literature. However, the magnitude of the risk was higher in the homebound than in the non-homebound population with respect to vision impairments, number of high-risk and over-the-counter medications, and use of walking aids .Few participants reported participating in a falls prevention program.

scholarly journals 111 Disparities between Actual and Perceived Fall Risk Affect Participation in 5 Fall Prevention Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Pey June Tan ◽  
Silvia Sim ◽  
Noor Hafizah Ismail ◽  
Jagadish Mallya ◽  
Angelique Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Aware Group

Abstract Introduction Older adults have been found to under- or overestimate their fall risk. However, no studies have investigated implications on help-seeking behaviours in falls prevention. This study examines how disparities between actual and perceived fall risk affects participation in 5 fall prevention interventions among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years in Singapore identified by stratified random sampling. Having previous falls in the past 12 months (faller/non-faller) indicated actual fall risk. Level of fear-of-falling (cut-off ≥23 on 16-item Falls Efficacy Scale International) was used as perceived fall risk (high/low). Four profiles based on combinations of actual and perceived risk were associated with participation in 5 fall prevention interventions in a multiple logistic regression. The model was adjusted for age, gender, ≥2 comorbidities and knowledge that the intervention is to prevent falls. Results Final analysis included 549 older adults (mean age 70.6±6.9 years, 61% females). Majority (46%) were in the Vigorous group (no falls, low fear), 35% Anxious (no falls, high fear), 11% Frail Aware (falls, high fear) and 8% Stoics (falls, low fear). Only those in Anxious and Frail Aware group were significantly more likely to have talked to a healthcare professional on strategies to avoid falls [OR 1.8 (1.1-3.1) and 3.2 (1.6-6.4) respectively] and made home modifications [OR 1.9 (1.3-2.8) and 2.0 (1.1-3.6)] after adjustments. No association was found for participation in exercise, medication review and falls education. Discussion Individual profiles with high fear-of-falling component have different help-seeking behaviours compared to those with low fear regardless of history of falls. However, individuals in Frail Aware group have higher likelihood to uptake the interventions compared to Anxious group. Future research should examine other drivers of behaviour that will influence participation in other interventions.

scholarly journals ´Feet are second class citizens`: exploring the perceptions of Scottish and Portuguese older adults about feet, falls and exercise- a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monserrat Conde ◽  
Gordon J. Hendry ◽  
Jim Woodburn ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

Abstract Introduction Foot problems are likely to contribute to falls risk in older adults. Foot and ankle exercises may be beneficial, but uptake may be influenced by cultural factors. Few studies have explored the views of older adults from different cultural backgrounds about foot-specific falls risk factors, and foot and ankle falls prevention exercises. Objectives To explore the views of Scottish and Portuguese community-dwelling older adults who have experienced a fall, about any foot risk factors for falls, and foot and ankle exercises. Methods Cross-cultural qualitative study with (n = 6) focus groups exploring the perceptions of Scottish (n = 10, mean age 76 yrs) and Portuguese older adults (n = 14, mean age 66 years) aged, applying thematic analysis. Results One main theme `evolving awareness about feet and falls prevention´ and three subthemes; (i) Feet are often forgotten, (ii) the important role of footwear, (iii) need to look at my feet and do the exercises were identified. Scottish participants had more experience of falls prevention but there was a lack of knowledge surrounding foot-specific falls risk factors, and the role of ankle and foot exercise in the prevention of falls. Portuguese participants exhibited a fatalistic approach to falls. Conclusions Older adults from both nations had little knowledge of foot-specific falls risk factors, being initially unaware of the functional status of their feet and of the role of exercise in foot care and falls management. There were differences between national groups that should be accounted for when developing culturally adequate interventions.

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