Sex Differences in Perceptions toward Falls among Older Adults Living in the Community in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355-1362
Author(s):  
Peter Kay Chai Tay ◽  
Angelique Chan ◽  
Pey June Tan ◽  
Chek Hooi Wong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Negative Perception

Fall prevention strategies informed by understanding sex differences in the perception of falls may be fruitful. Objectives: In the current research, we examined the consequence of having a recent fall episode on sex differences in fall perception based on the postulation that having a recent fall can lead to perceived susceptibility and attenuate male stereotypic perceptions toward falls. Methods and Results: Examining 549 older adults (337 women) living in the community, men reported higher falls efficacy, less negative perception related to the effect of a fall, and lower tendency to restrict activities to prevent falls. These sex differences were observed only among those who did not have a recent fall episode, and no significant sex differences were observed among those who fell. Discussion: The findings suggest that a recent fall episode may underlie sex differences in falls perception. The implications of sex differences in perceptions in falls for healthcare delivery and outcomes are discussed.

scholarly journals The Experience and Perception of Physiotherapists in Nigeria re: Fall Prevention in Recurrent-Faller Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perpetua Obi ◽  
Henrietha Nwankwo ◽  
Diaemeta Emofe ◽  
Isreal Adandom ◽  
Michael Kalu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
History Of

Background: Effective fall prevention practices are essential for reducing falls among older adults. Rehabilitation professionals like physiotherapists are essential members of the fall prevention team, yet little is known about the experiences of physiotherapists practicing fall prevention in developing nations. Objective: To explore the experiences of physiotherapists in Nigeria who practice fall prevention among older adults. Method: We adopted a phenomenological approach to the traditional qualitative design in this study. We purposefully selected and conducted face-to-face interview with twelve physiotherapists who have treated at least one older adult who reported falling two or three times within last six months. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from our participants: characteristics of recurrent fallers, fall prevention practices, hindrances to fall prevention, and strategies to promote fall prevention practices. In practice, understanding the characteristics (risk factors) of older adults with a history of recurrent falls is important for effective fall prevention practices among physiotherapists. Among other characteristics, our participants believed that older adults who have patronized “traditional bone setters/healer” are at the higher risk of having multiple falls. Conclusion: This study adds to the sparse amount of literature concerning the experience of physiotherapist in fall prevention practices in the developing world. More importantly, the findings of this study will strengthen or stimulate discussion around development of fall prevention strategies specific to the developing world context.

scholarly journals INTEREST GROUP SESSION—HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE: USING DATA ABOUT PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS TO IMPROVE FALL PREVENTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S566-S566
Author(s):  
Gwen Bergen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies

Abstract Over one in four U.S. older adults (age 65+) reports falling each year with fall-related medical costs estimated at $50 billion. The American Geriatrics Society/British Geriatrics Society Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention of Falls in Older Persons recommends that healthcare providers assess and manage their patients’ fall risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative helps healthcare providers incorporate these guidelines by providing tools on how to screen, assess, and intervene to reduce risk. Evaluations of fall prevention have focused on the clinical process and outcomes. Understanding clinical activities is important in fall prevention but a better understanding of older adult characteristics that increase fall-risk, and attitudes that may affect their adoption of evidence-based interventions could improve the effectiveness of prevention strategies. The five presentations in this session include: 1. Demographic, health and functional characteristics of older adults with increased fall risk. 2. Caregivers of people with chronic conditions or disability as a group with increased fall risk. 3. The most effective and efficient ways of identifying older adults with increased fall risk. 4. Facilitators and barriers to older adults’ adherence to evidence-based fall interventions. 5. Applying knowledge of older adult attitudes to improving an implementation of STEADI-based fall prevention. Multifactorial fall prevention strategies such as STEADI focus on the clinical aspects of fall prevention but their success depends on understanding and incorporating older adult characteristics and attitudes. The information presented in this session can inform fall prevention strategies and improve health.

Anxiety symptoms during hospitalization of elderly are associated with increased risk of post-discharge falls

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Agmon ◽  
Anna Zisberg ◽  
Orly Tonkikh ◽  
Gary Sinoff ◽  
Efrat Shadmi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBackground:The aim of this study was to test the association between anxiety at the time of hospitalization and falls occurring within one month of discharge, and to offer potential mechanisms for this association.Methods:One-month, prospective cohort study of 556 older adults in two medical centers in Israel. Anxiety and functional decline were assessed during hospitalization and falls were assessed one month post-discharge.Results:A total of 72 (12.9%) participants reported at least one fall during the 30-day post-discharge period. Controlling for demographics, functional decline and pre-morbid functional status, the odds of falls between discharge, and 1-month follow-up were almost twice as high among patients with anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.04-3.48) compared with those who screened negative for anxiety. After accounting for in-hospital functional decline, the relationship between anxiety symptoms and falls decreased by 11% (from OR = 2.13 to 1.89), indicating that the relationship between anxiety and falls was partially mediated by functional decline during hospitalization.Conclusions:Anxiety at time of hospitalization is associated with falls 30-days post-discharge, controlling for several well-known confounders. This relationship is partially mediated by functional decline. Identifying patients with anxiety for inclusion in targeted rehabilitation interventions may be an important component of fall prevention strategies.

Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Adherence to Environmental Fall Prevention Recommendations

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 755-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzänne F. Taylor ◽  
Constance L. Coogle ◽  
James J. Cotter ◽  
E. Ayn Welleford ◽  
Al Copolillo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Personalized Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Falls ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study examined the impact of personalized versus generalized education about environmental fall prevention recommendations on older adults’ adherence with recommendations. Secondary aims focused on the impact of recent falls and perceived susceptibility of future falls on adherence with recommendations. Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 89 years were randomized into two groups to receive either personalized or generalized education intervention on environmental fall prevention recommendations. A significant difference was found in the mean total percentage of adherence with recommendations of those receiving personalized education (69%) compared with those receiving generalized education (37%). No statistically significant relationship was found between sustaining recent falls, nor perceived susceptibility to future falls, and their extent of adherence with environmental fall prevention recommendations. Providing personalized education for environmental fall prevention recommendations may improve older adults’ adherence with the recommendations given.

scholarly journals A Survey Assessing Kansas Physician Assistants' Attitudes/Beliefs and Current Practices Regarding Implementation of Fall Prevention Strategies in Older Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
LaDonna S. Hale ◽  
Shelton J. Fraser ◽  
Kayla R. Keuter ◽  
Felecia A. Lee ◽  
Gina M. Berg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Professional Responsibility ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Injury Death ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Current Practices

Background. Falls are the leading cause of injury death, nursing home placement, and hospital trauma admissions in older adults. Although guidelines to reduce falls have been available for over a decade, routine implementation by healthcare providers is less than optimal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes/beliefs and current practices of Kansas physician assistants (PAs) regarding fall assessment/prevention strategies in older adults and barriers to implementing strategies into daily practice. Methods. A 67-item survey was mailed to all 760 Kansas PAs in 2009; 152 responded. Logistic regressions were performed on current fall prevention practices (exercise, home safety, medications, and vision) to determine attitudes, beliefs, and barriers associated with implementation. Results. Most PAs believe falls are preventable (87%) and implementation of various prevention strategies are their professional responsibility (88% - 96%); yet, less than 50% routinely implement them. Barriers included lack of time (27%), lack of staff (26%), and feeling ill-prepared (18%). Multiple logistic regressions revealed correlations among implementing the medication review strategy and lack of time as well as practicing the exercise strategy and lack of time and awareness of local exercise programs. Conclusions. PAs are aware of the importance of fall prevention, believe falls are preventable, and believe it is their professional responsibility to implement fall prevention strategies with their older adult patients. However, most do not implement strategies in their practice due to a variety of internal and logistical barriers. Fall prevention materials/tools that are practical, simple, inexpensive, and require little implementation time may overcome barriers.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Perceived Barriers to Participation in a Falls Prevention Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Júlio Fernandes ◽  
Sónia Fernandes ◽  
Ana Almeida ◽  
Diana Vareta ◽  
Carol Miller
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Social Solidarity ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Barriers To Participation ◽  
Fall Prevention Strategy

There is a need to increase older adults’ access and adherence to falls prevention strategies. This study aims to explore older adults’ perceived barriers to participation in a fall prevention strategy. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 older adult users of a Day Care Unit from a Private Institution of Social Solidarity in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley in Portugal. The recruitment was made in September 2019. The interviews were recorded transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using the method of constant comparisons. The barriers to participation in a fall prevention strategy are healthcare system gaps, social context, economic context, health status, psychological capability, and lack of knowledge to demystify myths and misconceptions about falls. There are different barriers to participate in a fall prevention strategy. It is urgent to eliminate or reduce the effect of these barriers to increase older adults’ participation in fall prevention strategies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document