scholarly journals Leveraging ACL Funding to Implement an Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program in Three GWEPs

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 368-369
Author(s):  
Ellen Flaherty ◽  
Nina Tumosa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Falls Risk

Abstract Primary care practices have a robust capacity to screen older adults for falls risk and refer them to evidence-based falls prevention programs delivered by Community Based Organizations (CBOs). However, due to a difference in the culture and nature of the work done in these two systems of care, there is often a lack of coordination and communication. Dartmouth has worked to bridge this gap for the past five years through our Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). GWEP goals include the promotion of Age-Friendly Health Systems by focusing on the 4 Ms: What Matters Most, Medication, Mentation and Mobility. GWEPs commonly operationalize the Mobility component via falls risk screening and prevention programs. Though CBOs are well suited to deliver falls prevention programs, implementing, disseminating and sustaining community-based falls prevention programs in an environment of cost containment, limited funds for community-based services and workforce issues is challenging. Previous Administration for Community Living (ACL) grant funding enabled us to develop the Dartmouth Falls Prevention Training Center (D-TC) using our expertise in training and community-based implementation of evidence-based interventions. The D-TC offers training and implementation support to primary care and CBOs on screening, referring and capacity-building for falls prevention programs. We will discuss challenges and successes implementing the Dartmouth falls prevention model with two additional GWEP grantees, Baystate and the University of Rhode Island. Benefits of leveraging ACL and HRSA funding to achieve synergistic goals to reduce falls in older adults will be explored.

scholarly journals Adopting and Adapting a Falls Prevention Program: Lessons Learned From Implementing a Model From a Different Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 369-369
Author(s):  
Carol Petrie ◽  
Christine Ferrone ◽  
Phillip Clark ◽  
Alexandra Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Academic Primary Care ◽  
Care System

Abstract Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs) are ideally suited to develop and implement educational programs to transform the geriatric care system. They link academic programs, clinical partners, and community-based organizations to bridge care system gaps to improve the health and social care of older adults. Such a collaboration is especially important in falls prevention, where primary care assessments generate referrals to community programs that enroll older adults to reduce their risk of falling. However, exporting an evidence-based model developed in one context for implementation in another is not without its perils and pitfalls. This paper explores the challenges of applying a model developed elsewhere to the Rhode Island context, including the need to understand how structural differences in academic, primary care, and community-based systems require flexibility, innovation, and persistence in overcoming the networking challenges in these different settings. Recommendations for implementing program models in a variety of settings are explored.

Participation in Two Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs by Adults Aging With a Long-Term Disability: Case-Control Study of Reach and Effectiveness

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (10_suppl) ◽  
pp. 39S-67S ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Eagen ◽  
Salom M. Teshale ◽  
Angelica P. Herrera-Venson ◽  
Anne Ordway ◽  
Joe Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Activity Restriction ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective: Adults aging with a long-term disability (LTD) are at an increased risk for falls. The Older Americans Act Title III-D and Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) support several organizations to deliver falls prevention evidence-based programs designed to reduce risk factors; however, little is understood about the reach and effectiveness of these fall prevention programs for those with LTD compared to those without LTD. This study compared the reach and effectiveness of two evidence-based falls prevention programs between older adults with and without LTD. Method: Using a matched case-control design, 105 LTD older adults enrolled in A Matter of Balance (AMOB) or Stepping On were matched to 315 non-LTD older adults on age, sex, race, and education. Results: On average, LTD older adults attended a higher number of class sessions and were significantly more likely to complete the program compared with the matched-sample of non-LTD older adults. LTD older adults were equally likely as non-LTD older adults to report significant reductions in self-reported fear of falling, falls-related activity restriction, and improvement in falls self-efficacy following completion of the programs. Discussion: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of these evidence-based falls prevention programs for LTD older adults; however, more research is needed to extend these findings.

scholarly journals PARTICIPATION IN TWO EVIDENCE-BASED FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAMS AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT A DISABILITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S123-S124
Author(s):  
Thomas J Eagen ◽  
Ellen McGough ◽  
Tracy Mroz ◽  
Deborah Kartin ◽  
Anjum Hajat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
National Council ◽  
Activity Restriction ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Older adults with a disability are at greater risk for falls and injury due to falling compared to those without a disability. Evidence-based falls prevention programs (EBFPPs) have been developed and disseminated broadly, however individuals with disabilities were excluded from original research on effectiveness. Using data from the National Falls Prevention Database from the National Council on Aging, we compared the reach and effectiveness of two EBFPPs, A Matter of Balance (MOB) or Stepping On, between those with and without a disability. Program reach was measured using attendance percentage. Program effectiveness was measured using change in fear of falling (FOF), fall-related activity restriction (FAR), and falls self-efficacy (FSE) post-program. A total of 12,667 participants were analyzed. Participants were, on average, 76 years old (M = 76.18, SD = 9.86), largely female (75%), well educated (80% some college or higher), and white (90%). Nearly half self-reported a disability (40%). Older adults with a disability were as likely to attend (M = 0.88, SD = 0.14) the program compared to those without a disability (M = 0.88, SD = 0.14, p =.30). Older adults with a disability reported greater FOF and FAR and lower FSE compared to participants without a disability at baseline. Significant improvements were made across effectiveness measures, irrespective of disability status. MOB and Stepping On are effective programs, well attended by older adults with and without disabilities, however older adults with a disability continued to report higher FOF and FAR, and lower FSE compared to those without a disability.

scholarly journals The Dartmouth Falls Prevention Training Program: Primary Care and Community-Based Organization Collaboration

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 369-369
Author(s):  
Dawna Pidgeon
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Instructor Training ◽  
Community Based Education ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Adult Participation ◽  
Community Based Organization ◽  
Prevention Training

Abstract Falls are a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older adults. Older adult participation in community-based falls prevention programs can significantly reduce falls risk, however, identifying and referring individuals to appropriate programs can be challenging. Through Administration for Community Living (ACL) funding, we have developed a comprehensive Dartmouth Falls Prevention Training Program for healthcare and community based organizations that includes (1) Falls screening in primary care; (2) “Balance Days”, a community-based education and balance screening event encompassing falls risk stratification and coaching into programs; (3) Instructor Training for Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance®, a highly effective falls prevention program; and (4) Implementation Training, a research informed workshop shown to enhance community-based program sustainability through participant retention. We will share strategies for sustainable collaborations between primary care and CBOs to reach at-risk individuals and improve lives and decrease costs associated with falls.

scholarly journals Age-Friendly Initiatives and Primary Care in Rural Arkansas

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 545-545
Author(s):  
Robin McAtee ◽  
Leah Tobey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Geriatric Education ◽  
Evidence Based Programs

Abstract The Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC)’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program is partnering with a plethora of community based organizations (CBO) and with ARcare, an Arkansas federally qualified healthcare clinic network, to implement the 4Ms of age-friendly care in rural clinics. Baseline clinical data related to the Age-Friendly 4M Framework has been gathered and quality improvement projects initiated to improve the outcomes. Initiatives to improve depression and cognitive screenings are addressing Mentation; fall prevention screens and the offering of fall prevention programs have been added for Mobility; high risk medication screens and chronic pain educational programs are being implemented to address Medications; and finally, Medicare Annual Wellness Visits is the cornerstone to improve what Matters to older adults. A campaign that involves partnered CBOs to address health literacy and increase involvement in evidence-based programs is also helping to drive improvements in age-friendly care in rural Arkansas.

Urban Australian general practitioners’ perceptions of falls risk screening, falls risk assessment, and referral practices for falls prevention: an exploratory cross-sectional survey study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kajtek Kielich ◽  
Lynette Mackenzie ◽  
Meryl Lovarini ◽  
Lindy Clemson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Referral Practices ◽  
Prevention Interventions

Objective The study aimed to explore Australian general practitioners’ (GPs) perceptions of falls risk screening, assessment and their referral practices with older people living in the community, and to identify any barriers or facilitators to implementing evidence-based falls prevention practice. Methods Hardcopy surveys and a link to an online survey were distributed to 508 GPs working at one Medicare Local (now part of a Primary Care Network) located in Sydney, Australia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and key themes were identified from open text responses. Results A total of 37 GPs returned the survey. Only 10 (27%) GPs routinely asked older people about falls, and five (13.5%) asked about fear of falls during clinical consultations. Barriers to managing falls risk were identified. GPs estimated that they made few referrals to allied health professionals for falls interventions. Conclusions GPs were knowledgeable about falls risk factors but this did not result in consistent falls risk screening, assessment or referral practices. Due to the small sample, further research is needed with a larger sample to augment these results. What is known about the topic? Falls are a common and serious health issue for older people and fall prevention is vital, especially in the primary care setting. General practitioners (GPs) are key health professionals to identify older people at risk of falls and refer them to appropriate health professionals for intervention. Evidence-based falls prevention interventions exist but are not easily or routinely accessed by older people. What does this paper add? GPs believe that previous falls are an important falls risk factor but they do not routinely ask about falls or fear of falls in clinical practice with older people. GP referral rates to allied health professionals for falls prevention are low, despite evidence-based falls prevention interventions being provided by allied health professionals. There are several barriers to GPs providing falls prevention assessment and intervention referrals, particularly using the current primary health systems. What are the implications for practitioners? GPs need to recognise their potential significant contribution to falls prevention in the community and may require tailored training. Sustainable evidence-based referral pathways need to be developed so that older people can be referred to allied health professionals for falls prevention interventions in the primary care setting, and better local networks need to be developed to allow this to occur. Policy makers may have to address the identified barriers to multidisciplinary practice and funding of services to facilitate effective falls prevention programs in primary care.

scholarly journals ‘I’ve always done what I was told by the medical people’: a qualitative study of the reasons why older adults attend multifactorial falls risk assessments mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e033069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmy Racine ◽  
Anna Soye ◽  
Patrick Barry ◽  
Finola Cronin ◽  
Orla Hosford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Falls Risk

ObjectivesMultifactorial falls risk assessments reduce the rate of falls in older people and are recommended by international guidelines. Despite their effectiveness, their potential impact is often constrained by barriers to implementation. Attendance is an issue. The aim of this study was to explore why older people attend community-based multifactorial falls risk assessment clinics, and to map these reasons to a theoretical framework.DesignThis is a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed thematically. Each theme and subtheme were then mapped onto the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify the determinants of behaviour.ParticipantsOlder adults (aged 60 and over) who attended community-based multifactorial falls risk assessments.ResultsSixteen interviews were conducted. Three main themes explained participants’ reasons for attending the multifactorial risk assessment; being that ‘type of person’, being ‘linked in’ with health and community services and having ‘strong social support’. Six other themes were identified, but these themes were not as prominent during interviews. These were knowing what to expect, being physically able, having confidence in and being positive towards health services, imagining the benefits given previous positive experiences, determination to maintain or regain independence, and being ‘crippled’ by the fear of falling. These themes mapped on to nine TDF domains: ‘knowledge’, ‘skills’, ‘social role and identity’, ‘optimism’, ‘beliefs about consequences’, ‘goals’, ‘environmental context and resources’, ‘social influences’ and ‘emotion’. There were five TDF domains that were not relevant to the reasons for attending.ConclusionsThese findings provide theoretically based factors that influence attendance which can be used to inform the development of interventions to improve attendance to falls prevention programmes.

scholarly journals Innovative Partnership Between Primary Care, AAA, and Academia Connects 4Ms and Social Determinants of Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 107-107
Author(s):  
Suzanne Leahy ◽  
Katie Ehlman ◽  
Lisa Maish ◽  
Brad Conrad ◽  
Jillian Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Language And Literacy ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
College Of Nursing ◽  
Value Based Care ◽  
The University

Abstract Nationally, there is a growing focus on addressing geriatric care in primary care settings. HRSA’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) has called for academic and health system partners to develop a reciprocal, innovative, cross-sector partnership that includes primary care sites and community-based agencies serving older adults. Through the University of Southern Indiana’s GWEP, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, the Deaconess Health System, three primary care clinics, and two Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) have joined to transform the healthcare of older adults regionally, including rural residents in the 12-county area. Core to the project is a value-based care model that “embeds” AAA care managers in primary care clinics. Preliminary evaluation indicates early success in improving the healthcare of older adults at one primary clinic, where clinical teams have referred 64 older adult patients to the AAA care manager. Among these 64 patients, 80% were connected to supplemental, community-based health services; 22% to programs addressing housing and transportation; and, nearly 10% to a range of other services (e.g., job training; language and literacy; and technology). In addition to presenting limited data on referred patients and referral outcomes, the presentation will share copies of the AAA referral log, to illustrate how resources were categorized by SDOH and added to support integration of the 4Ms.

Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program on Maintenance of Physical Activity Among Older Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Laforest ◽  
Anne Pelletier ◽  
Lise Gauvin ◽  
Yvonne Robitaille ◽  
Michel Fournier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document