scholarly journals Exercise, Health, and Falls Risks among Older African American Women

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kosma ◽  
Jan M. Hondzinski ◽  
David R. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Exercise Behavior ◽  
Active Group ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Group D

Background of Study: Although exercise has many benefits, older African American (AA) women are less active than older Caucasian women and older AA men. Balance and muscle-strengthening activities are typically recommended for decreased falls, whereas the role of aerobic training alone on falls prevention is controversial. Objective: This was a mixed methods phronetic (pragmatic) study – without an intervention – including quantitative data (falls risks) and qualitative data on exercise behavior and its importance to health and falls prevention; therefore, the studied phenomenon was thoroughly and pragmatically investigated. The first purpose of the study was to examine differences in falls risks based on exercise type (aerobics vs. combination of aerobics, muscle training, and balance activities) and exercise level (active people vs. somewhat active people). Secondly, participants’ exercise values were examined in relation to their health, falls-risk prevention, exercise behavior, and falls risks. Method: Interviews and falls risk assessments were conducted among 12 older AA women in an inner-city community center. Results: ANCOVA and ANOVA showed that the aerobics group performed better in Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and Timed Up and Go than the combination group (d =0.85, -0.97); the latter surpassed the former in Functional Reach (d = 2.27). The active group (met the 150 minutes/week exercise recommendation) performed better in DGI and Six-Minute Walk than the somewhat active group (d =0.62.,50); the latter outperformed the former in balance-eyes open (d = -0.52). Emerging themes about lifestyle values included: a) reasons for health conditions and staying healthy and b) falls prevention. Conclusion: Exercise programs for fall risk reduction should include not only muscle strengthening and balance activities, but also aerobic exercises. Meeting minimum exercise recommendations is key to falls risk reduction. Beyond healthy diet, the role of exercise on the prevention of health conditions needs to be emphasized.

scholarly journals Increasing Physical Activity In Older Australians to Reduce Falls: A Program Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Robson ◽  
Nazmul Ahasan ◽  
Carly Barnes ◽  
Kylie Murphy ◽  
Rodney Pope
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older People ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Purpose: As people age, they are at greater risk of injurious falls. Falling has a significant impact not only on the individual but also the wider community. Undertaking physical activity is effective in reducing the rate of falls in this population. Therefore, providing targeted education during group-based falls prevention programs may increase the awareness and amount of physical activity older people undertake to assist in reducing their risk of falling. Methods: A longitudinal cohort design involving a pre-post intervention survey was conducted over an eight-month period with community-dwelling older adults who participated in a fall-prevention program. Participants were N = 161 (123 female and 38 male), aged 65 years and over, with the most common age bracket being 75 to 84 years. Demographic information was collected at baseline. It included falls history and self-reported physical activity levels. Immediately post-intervention, self-reported changes in the awareness of the role of physical activity and awareness of falls risks were measured. Six months post-intervention, participants self-reported their physical activity levels and post-program fall history. Results: An increase in awareness of the role of physical activity in reducing falls risk as well as falls risk factors was reported in most participants after completing the program. Despite this, only around a third of participants increased their physical activity levels during the six months after the program even though a decrease in falls rates was noted. Conclusions: The targeted education within the falls prevention program demonstrated an increase in awareness of falls risk factors and the importance of regular physical activity to minimise the risk of falling. However, this awareness did not seem to result in an increase in the amount of physical activity participants undertook after the program, even though falls rates across the participants reduced. Further research is needed to explore why older people who understand the benefits of undertaking regular physical activity did not increase their activity levels.

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.

scholarly journals Implementation and initial evaluation of falls risk reduction resources in a rural Native American Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle M. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Functional Reach ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Serious Injury

Abstract Background Although falls are common and can cause serious injury to older adults, many health care facilities do not have falls prevention resources available. Falls prevention resources can reduce injury and mortality rates. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) model, a falls risk clinic was implemented in a rural Indian Health Service (IHS) facility. Methods A Fall Risk Questionnaire was created and implemented into the Provider’s Electronic Health Records system interface to streamline provider screening and referral of patients who may be at risk for falls to a group falls risk reduction class. Results Participants exhibited average improvements in the Timed Up and Go (6.8 s) (P = 0.0001), Five-Time Sit-to-Stand (5.1 s) (P = 0.0002), and Functional Reach (3.6 inches) (P = 1.0) tests as compared to their own baseline. Results were analyzed via paired t test. 71% of participants advanced out of an “increased risk for falls” category in at least one outcome measure. Of the participants to complete the clinic, all were successfully contacted and three (18%) reported one or more falls at the 90-day mark, of which one (6%) required a visit to the Emergency Department but did not require hospital admission. Conclusions In regards to reducing falls in the community, per the CDC STEADI model, an integrated approach is best. All clinicians can play a part in reducing elder falls.

Adaptation to college among African American students: The role of trauma and PTSD

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guler Boyraz ◽  
Sharon G. Horne ◽  
Archandria C. Owens ◽  
Aisha P. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Students ◽  
American Students ◽  
Adaptation To College

scholarly journals The 2020 Portrait of American Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 681-681
Author(s):  
Regina Shih
Keyword(s):  
Family Member ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
The Past ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
The Us ◽  
National Alliance

Abstract The prevalence of caregiving for an adult or child with special needs has increased significantly in the past five years (from 18.2% to over 21.3%), driven by an increase in the prevalence of caring for a family member or friend aged 50 and older. At the same time, care recipients have greater health and functional needs that necessitate care from others in comparison to 2015. These new 2020 data from the Caregiving in the US Survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving suggests that not only are more American adults taking on the role of caregiver, but they are doing so for increasingly complex care situations. This paper addresses the prevalence of caregiving including the demographics of family caregivers, relationship between the caregiver and the care recipient, health conditions of the care recipient, and living situations of care recipients and their caregivers.

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