scholarly journals Older Adults’ Utilization of Community Resources Targeting Fall Prevention and Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan K McMahon ◽  
Young Shin Park ◽  
Beth Lewis ◽  
Weihua Guan ◽  
J Michael Oakes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives Despite the availability of community resources, fall and inactivity rates remain high among older adults. Thus, in this article, we describe older adults’ self-reported awareness and use of community resources targeting fall prevention and physical activity. Research Design and Methods In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted in Phase 1 with community center leaders (n = 5) and adults (n = 16) ≥70 years old whose experience with community programs varied. In Phase 2, surveys were administered to intervention study participants (n = 102) who were ≥70 years old, did not have a diagnosis of dementia, and reported low levels of physical activity. Results Four themes emerged from Phase 1 data: (a) identifying a broad range of local community resources; (b) learning from trusted sources; (c) the dynamic gap between awareness and use of community resources; and (d) using internal resources to avoid falls. Phase 2 data confirmed these themes; enabled the categorization of similar participant-identified resources (10); and showed that participants who received encouragement to increase community resource use, compared to those who did not, had significantly greater odds of using ≥1 resource immediately postintervention, but not 6 months’ postintervention. Discussion and Implications Although participants in this study were aware of a broad range of local community resources for physical activity, they used resources that support walking most frequently. Additionally, receiving encouragement to use community resources had short-term effects only. Findings improve our understanding of resources that need bolstering or better dissemination and suggest researchers identify best promotion, dissemination, implementation strategies.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3415
Author(s):  
Hursuong Vongsachang ◽  
Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽  
Jian-Yu E ◽  
David S. Friedman ◽  
Sheila K. West ◽  
...  

Understanding periods of the year associated with higher risk for falling and less physical activity may guide fall prevention and activity promotion for older adults. We examined the relationship between weather and seasons on falls and physical activity in a three-year cohort of older adults with glaucoma. Participants recorded falls information via monthly calendars and participated in four one-week accelerometer trials (baseline and per study year). Across 240 participants, there were 406 falls recorded over 7569 person-months, of which 163 were injurious (40%). In separate multivariable regression models incorporating generalized estimating equations, temperature, precipitation, and seasons were not significantly associated with the odds of falling, average daily steps, or average daily active minutes. However, every 10 °C increase in average daily temperature was associated with 24% higher odds of a fall being injurious, as opposed to non-injurious (p = 0.04). The odds of an injurious fall occurring outdoors, as opposed to indoors, were greater with higher average temperatures (OR per 10 °C = 1.46, p = 0.03) and with the summer season (OR = 2.69 vs. winter, p = 0.03). Falls and physical activity should be understood as year-round issues for older adults, although the likelihood of injury and the location of fall-related injuries may change with warmer season and temperatures.


Author(s):  
Moeini Babak ◽  
Barati Majid ◽  
Heidarimoghadam Rashid ◽  
Tapak Leili ◽  
Parsamajd Shahryar

Inadequate health literacy decreases physical activity. This study aimed to develop and examine psychometrics of physical activity health literacy in Iranian older adults. This methodological work was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of extensive studies review and qualitative study to extract and design the items. The psychometrics were measured in Phase 2 included content, faceconstruct validities, reliability, and stability. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS (version 25.0) and AMOS (version 24.0). The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed four factors— information evaluation, reading skill, perception, and decision making—and used information that explained 70.08% of the variance. The model’s fitness was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency based on Cronbach’s alpha was .89 with composite reliability >0.85. Stability was confirmed through the test–retest method and intraclass correlation coefficient (.89–1). Psychometrics of physical activity health literacy in Iranian older adults supported validity and reliability of the tool.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Steele Gray ◽  
Terence Tang ◽  
Alana Armas ◽  
Mira Backo-Shannon ◽  
Sarah Harvey ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Older adults with multimorbidity and complex care needs (CCN) are among those most likely to experience frequent care transitions between settings, particularly from hospital to home. Transition periods mark vulnerable moments in care for individuals with CCN. Poor communication and incomplete information transfer between clinicians and organizations involved in the transition from hospital to home can impede access to needed support and resources. Establishing digitally supported communication that enables person-centered care and supported self-management may offer significant advantages as we support older adults with CCN transitioning from hospital to home. OBJECTIVE This protocol outlines the plan for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a Digital Bridge co-designed to support person-centered health care transitions for older adults with CCN. The Digital Bridge builds on the foundation of two validated technologies: Care Connector, designed to improve interprofessional communication in hospital, and the electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO) tool, designed to support goal-oriented care planning and self-management in primary care settings. This project poses three overarching research questions that focus on adapting the technology to local contexts, evaluating the impact of the Digital Bridge in relation to the quadruple aim, and exploring the potential to scale and spread the technology. METHODS The study includes two phases: workflow co-design (phase 1), followed by implementation and evaluation (phase 2). Phase 1 will include iterative co-design working groups with patients, caregivers, hospital providers, and primary care providers to develop a transition workflow that will leverage the use of Care Connector and ePRO to support communication through the transition process. Phase 2 will include implementation and evaluation of the Digital Bridge within two hospital systems in Ontario in acute and rehab settings (600 patients: 300 baseline and 300 implementation). The primary outcome measure for this study is the Care Transitions Measure–3 to assess transition quality. An embedded ethnography will be included to capture context and process data to inform the implementation assessment and development of a scale and spread strategy. An Integrated Knowledge Translation approach is taken to inform the study. An advisory group will be established to provide insight and feedback regarding the project design and implementation, leading the development of the project knowledge translation strategy and associated outputs. RESULTS This project is underway and expected to be complete by Spring 2024. CONCLUSIONS Given the real-world implementation of Digital Bridge, practice changes in the research sites and variable adherence to the implementation protocols are likely. Capturing and understanding these considerations through a mixed-methods approach will help identify the range of factors that may influence study results. Should a favorable evaluation suggest wide adoption of the proposed intervention, this project could lead to positive impact at patient, clinician, organizational, and health system levels. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04287192; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04287192 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/20220


2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclene A. Zauszniewski ◽  
Chien-Yu Lai ◽  
Sukuma Tithiphontumrong

Resourcefulness is the ability to independently perform daily tasks (personal resourcefulness) and to seek help from others when unable to function independently (social resourcefulness). The 2 forms of resourcefulness are theoretically related, yet no current measure captures both simultaneously. This 2-phase study involved development and testing of a Resourcefulness Scale for elders from existing measures of personal and social resourcefulness. Data from 2 studies of 451 chronically ill elders were randomly split: the measure was developed in phase 1 and validated in phase 2. The new Resourcefulness Scale has acceptable internal consistency (α= .85). Two correlated subscales reflecting personal and social resourcefulness (r= .41) were confirmed. The Resourcefulness Scale has potential usefulness for older adults as well as younger and middle-aged adults.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Jin Lee ◽  
Jon Sanford ◽  
Margaret Calkins ◽  
Sarah Melgen ◽  
Sarah Endicott ◽  
...  

Purpose: To identify the optimal spatial and dimensional requirements of grab bars that support independent and assisted transfers by older adults and their care providers. Background: Although research has demonstrated that toilet grab bars based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards do not meet the needs of older adults, the specific dimensional requirements for alternative configurations are unknown. Methods: A two-phased study with older adults and care providers in residential facilities was conducted to determine the optimal requirements for grab bars. Seniors and caregivers in skilled nursing facilities performed transfers using a mock-up toilet. In Phase 1, participants evaluated three grab bar configurations to identify optimal characteristics for safety, ease of use, comfort, and helpfulness. These characteristics were then validated for using ability-matched samples in Phase 2. Results: The optimal configuration derived in Phase 1 included fold-down grab bars on both sides of the toilet (14" from centerline [CL] of toilet, 32" above the floor, and extended a minimum of 6" in front of the toilet) with one side open and a sidewall 24" from CL of toilet on the other. Phase 2 feedback was significantly positive for independent and one-person transfers and somewhat lower, albeit still positive, for two-person transfers. Conclusion: The study provides substantial evidence that bilateral grab bars are significantly more effective than those that comply with current ADA Accessibility Standards. Findings provide specific spatial and dimensional attributes for grab bar configurations that would be most effective in senior facilities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 613-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dafna Merom ◽  
Victoria Pye ◽  
Rona Macniven ◽  
Hidde van der Ploeg ◽  
Andrew Milat ◽  
...  

10.2196/14465 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e14465
Author(s):  
An Thi Nguyen ◽  
Emily Kling Somerville ◽  
Sandra Martina Espín-Tello ◽  
Marian Keglovits ◽  
Susan Lynn Stark

Background Home modifications provided by occupational therapists (OTs) are effective in improving daily activity performance and reducing fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. However, the prevalence of home modification is low. One reason is the lack of a centralized database of OTs who provide home modifications. Objective This study aimed to develop and test the usability of a mobile app directory of OTs who provide home modifications in the United States. Methods In phase 1, a prototype was developed by identifying OTs who provide home modifications through keyword Web searches. Referral information was confirmed by phone or email. In phase 2, community-dwelling older adults aged older than 65 years and OTs currently working in the United States were purposefully recruited to participate in a single usability test of the mobile app, Home Modifications for Aging and Disability Directory of Referrals (Home Maddirs). Participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semistructured interview questions. Interview data were coded, and themes were derived using a grounded theory approach. Results In phase 1, referral information for 101 OTs across 49 states was confirmed. In phase 2, 6 OTs (mean clinical experience 4.3 years, SD 1.6 years) and 6 older adults (mean age 72.8 years, SD 5.0 years) participated. The mean SUS score for OTs was 91.7 (SD 8.0; out of 100), indicating good usability. The mean SUS score for older adults was 71.7 (SD 27.1), indicating considerable variability in usability. In addition, the SUS scores indicated that the app is acceptable to OTs and may be acceptable to some older adults. For OTs, self-reported barriers to acceptability and usability included the need for more information on the scope of referral services. For older adults, barriers included high cognitive load, lack of operational skills, and the need to accommodate sensory changes. For both groups, facilitators of acceptability and usability included perceived usefulness, social support, and multiple options to access information. Conclusions Home Maddirs demonstrates good preliminary acceptability and usability to OTs. Older adults’ perceptions regarding acceptability and usability varied considerably, partly based on prior experience using mobile apps. Results will be used to make improvements to this promising new tool for increasing older adults’ access to home modifications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S615-S615
Author(s):  
Shannon T Mejia ◽  
Katherine Hsieh ◽  
Jason Fanning ◽  
Jacob Sosnoff

Abstract An accurate understanding of one’s abilities and limitations allows adaptive response to the challenges that are faced in daily life. However, older adults may over or under estimate their actual abilities. The Daily Balance Project examined the intraindividual dynamics of older adults’ perceived balance with objective measures of balance and physical activity. For 30 consecutive days, following a comprehensive fall risk assessment, 20 older adults rated their balance confidence (Activities Balance Confidence scale) at that moment and then performed five standardized balance assessments measured via smartphone accelerometer held to their chest. Physical activity was measured with an activity monitor. Baseline measurements of fall risk differentiated the extent of intraindividual variation and co-variation of balance and physical activity. For some participants, actual and perceived balance became more closely aligned as the study progressed. The implications of the findings for life-span perspectives on aging and fall prevention are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document