Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance—Development of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuzhong Li ◽  
Peter Harmer ◽  
Karin A. Mack ◽  
David Sleet ◽  
K. John Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Instructor's Manual

Background:This study was designed to develop an evidence- and community-based falls prevention program—Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance.Methods:A mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was used to develop a package of materials for program implementation and evaluation. The developmental work was conducted in 2 communities in the Pacific Northwest. Participants included a panel of experts, senior service program managers or activity coordinators, and older adults. Outcome measures involved program feasibility and satisfaction.Results:Through an iterative process, a program package was developed. The package contained an implementation plan and class training materials (ie, instructor’s manual, videotape, and user’s guidebook). Pilot testing of program materials showed that the content was appropriate for the targeted users (community-living older adults) and providers (local senior service organizations). A feasibility survey indicated interest and support from users and providers for program implementation. A 2-week pilot evaluation showed that the program implementation was feasible and evidenced good class attendance, high participant satisfaction, and interest in continuing Tai Chi.Conclusions:The package of materials developed in this study provides a solid foundation for larger scale implementation and evaluation of the program in community settings.

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

scholarly journals DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY-BASED COMPREHENSIVE FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH PRIMARY CARE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S770-S770
Author(s):  
Dawna Pidgeon
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
New England ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Falls In Older Adults

Abstract Reducing falls in older adults requires a comprehensive screening program, a systems approach to refer those at risk and an evidence based community falls prevention programs. The Dartmouth Centers for Healthy & Aging has been the recipient of 2 Association of Community Living (ACL) Falls Prevention grants. This has enabled the development of a robust program for falls screening both in primary care and through community based balance screening events called “Balance Days”. At risk individuals receive coaching, based on the principles of motivational interviewing, focusing on enrolling in either “Matter of Balance” or “Tai Chi Quan: Moving for Better Balance”. Through the ACL grant we have built significant capacity across New England for these programs. This talk will focus on the “secret sauce” of implementing a robust community based falls prevention program in partnership with primary care.

scholarly journals Characteristics Associated with Improved Physical Performance among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2509
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Scronce ◽  
Wanqing Zhang ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
Vicki Stemmons Mercer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Initial Visit ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This was a retrospective analysis of quasi-longitudinal data from an ongoing, community-based falls prevention program. The purpose was to identify participant characteristics predicting improvement on physical performance measures associated with falls risk. Community-dwelling older adults ≥60 years old participated in a community-based implementation of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP). Participants with increased falls risk (n = 353) were provided with individualized exercises from OEP and were invited to return for monthly follow-up. One hundred twenty-eight participants returned for at least two follow-up visits within 6 months of their initial visit (mean time to second follow-up = 93 days with standard deviation = 43 days). Outcome measures assessed at initial and all follow-up visits included Four Stage Balance Test (4SBT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Chair Rise Test (CRT). Distributions were examined, and results were categorized to depict improvement from initial visit (IVT) to second follow-up visit (F2). Key predictor variables were included in multivariable linear or logistic regression models. Improved 4SBT performance was predicted by greater balance confidence. Better TUG performance at F2 was predicted by no use of assistive device for walking, higher scores on cognitive screening, and better IVT TUG performance. Improvement on CRT was predicted by younger age and lower scores on cognitive screening. While improvements on each of the three measures were predicted by a unique combination of variables, these variables tended to be associated with less frailty.

scholarly journals Translation of an Effective Tai Chi Intervention Into a Community-Based Falls-Prevention Program

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 1195-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuzhong Li ◽  
Peter Harmer ◽  
Russell Glasgow ◽  
Karin A. Mack ◽  
David Sleet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention Program ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Based

scholarly journals The Oklahoma Falls Prevention Program Targeting Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 302-302
Author(s):  
Keith Kleszynski ◽  
Janis Campbell ◽  
Omolara Henley ◽  
Lee Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract The Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative is a statewide health promotion program for older adults based at the University of Oklahoma. Seven staff educators and 32 volunteers delivered 2 community-based fall prevention programs, Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) and Tai Chi Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TCBB) to 763 older Oklahomans in 71 sites across the state over 9 months. For both programs, twenty-four 60-90 minute classes were delivered over 12 weeks with pre and post assessments completed at the first and last class, respectively. Two hundred ninety eight participants (39%) completed at least 75% of class sessions and to date 140 completed a posttest evaluation and were included in the evaluation. Participants were mostly older (87% ≥60 years), female (86%), college educated (45%), white (87%), and most participated in TCBB (89%). Participants improved in 2 physical performance measures: mean 30-second chair stands increased from 11.5 (SD3.8) to 13.1 (SD3.4) stands (p<0.0001); and mean timed up and go time decreased from 10.0 (SD2.9) to 9.4 (SD2.9) seconds (p=0.004 ). More participants reported vigorous or moderate activity at least 3 times per week after program completion, 134 (96%) vs. 114 (81%), p=0.0001. There was no difference in measures of global health, satisfaction with social roles and activities, or companionship with participant mean scores near the upper range of these scales at baseline. Older Oklahomans participating in community-based exercise report good overall health and report high social connection. Future efforts will focus on more socially isolated older adults and diverse communities.

A University-Community Partnership in Teacher Education From the Perspectives of Community-Based Teacher Educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Guillen ◽  
Ken Zeichner
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Research University ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Pacific

This article examines the experiences of a group of nine community-based mentors of teacher candidates who partnered for several years through a local, community-based organization with the graduate elementary and secondary teacher education programs at a research university in the Pacific Northwest. Following a brief discussion of the history of partnerships between teacher education programs and local communities, we report the findings of a study of the perspectives of these community mentors on their work with teacher candidates and university teacher educators.

Using Tai Chi to Reduce Fall Risk Factors Among Older Adults: An Evaluation of a Community-Based Implementation

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 983-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary P. Gallant ◽  
Meaghan Tartaglia ◽  
Susan Hardman ◽  
Kara Burke
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Fall Risk Factors

Effects of a Community-Based Tai Chi Program on Balance, Functional Outcomes, and Sensorimotor Function in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason R. Wingert ◽  
Caitlin E. Corle ◽  
Diane F. Saccone ◽  
Jimin Lee ◽  
Aubrianne E. Rote
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Sensorimotor Function ◽  
Community Based

scholarly journals PILOT OUTCOMES OF A COMMUNITY-BASED FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM TARGETING OLDER ARAB AMERICANS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S868-S868
Author(s):  
Lan Yao ◽  
Suha Kridli ◽  
Amne Talab
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Community Center ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Tai Chi Exercise

Abstract Arab American (AA) is the 3rd largest ethnic population in the state of Michigan. Previous studies found that Michigan Arabs were less healthy than the general population in Michigan. Older AAs have higher mortality risk than non-Arab and non-Hispanic Whites, particularly due to chronic diseases. Community-based programs are an effective approach to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life. While evidence for functional gains resulting from Tai Chi exercise is accumulating, there is little research and support for its feasibility and effectiveness that target older AAs, who are not culturally related to Tai Chi. Participants in this report were 8 older female AAs (mean age 62.4±3.2, range 58-66) who sought services at a not-for-profit Arab Community Center, which aims to enable and empower residents and communities to lead informed, productive and culturally sensitive lives. A certified Tai Chi instructor led the classes using Yang-style Tai Chi moves. The participants completed a 12-week twice-weekly 1-hour Tai Chi classes and post-program focus group discussion, held in a classroom of the Community Center. Post-intervention improvement in timed up & go test (p>.05), comfortable & fast gait speed (p>.05), unipedal stance time (p>.05) were observed. Themes identified from focus group supported Tai Chi’s benefits in balance and salient mental health benefits. The pilot data provides preliminary evidence for therapeutic gains resulting from Tai Chi practices. Agencies serving older AAs play important roles by creating and promoting evidence-based health promotion practices to address the growing needs among older adults.

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