Developing a falls prevention program for community-dwelling stroke survivors in Singapore: client and caregiver perspectives

Abstract

Reducing the risk of falls in community-dwelling stroke survivors seems to be more important than promoting community participation among caregivers. The study findings highlight that a structured and client-centered fall prevention program targeting stroke survivors and caregivers is needed in Singapore. Implications for rehabilitation Falls after stroke can lead to functional decline in gait and mobility and restricted self-care activities. Community-dwelling stroke survivors develop adaptive safety strategies after a fall and want to be socially connected. However, caregivers see the safety of the stroke survivors as their top priority and demonstrate over-protective behaviors. Fall prevention programs for community-dwelling stroke survivors should target both stroke survivors and their caregivers. A structured and client-centered fall prevention program targeting at multiple risk factors post-stroke is needed for community-living stroke survivors.

Stroke Rehabilitation for Falls and Risk of Falls in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review With Stakeholders' Consultation

“…Most of the included studies are from Singapore (63,65,66,68,71,72,(76)(77)(78), followed by Malaysia (57,61,69,70,(73)(74)(75)80), Thailand (56,60,62,64,67,79), the Philippines (58,59) and Indonesia (81) (Figure 2). No articles were found from other Southeast Asia countries.…”

“…The articles were published between 2006 to 2020 (Supplementary Table 3). Of the total 26 articles, five were observational studies (57,62,64,66,76), 17 were experimental (56, 58-61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 73-75, 77-81) and the remaining four were qualitative (68,(70)(71)(72). Meanwhile, 15 were clinical-based studies (56-59, 62-67, 70, 75, 78, 79, 81) and 11 studies were conducted in the community (60, 61, 68, 69, 71-74, 76, 77, 80).…”

“…Conventional interventions were defined as commonly accepted interventions that are provided manually in the form of face-to-face sessions with patients, in contrast, technology-based interventions involved the use of sophisticated technology such as robots and digital facilities (i.e., virtual reality and tele-health) (93). Four studies explored the perceptions of stroke rehabilitation practices among stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals (68,(70)(71)(72).…”

“…Two of the qualitative studies explicitly focused on rehabilitation for falls after stroke (71,72). Stroke participants perceived intrinsic and extrinsic factors to be leading to falls.…”

Lifestyle of the Elderly with Stroke: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Stroke is the most common disabling neurological disease among the adults, which could result in damages to perception system, sensory, vision, and motor and cognitive abilities; therefore, the ability of patients in performing their daily activities is reduced (8). Stroke may cause complication in the patient such as the increase of risk of falling (9,10), motionlessness or reduction of physical activities (11), decrease of cognitive and social activity (12), and psychological health of the patient (13). Therefore, its prevention is highly essential (14).…”