Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Interprofessional Falls Prevention Program for Older Adults

Abstract

This article describes the development and implementation of an Interprofessional Falls Prevention Program (IFPP) designed for community-dwelling seniors. The program was a collaborative pilot research study conducted in a retirement home and an outpatient hospital setting. The pilot was successful and was positioned into a permanent falls prevention program. The IFPP aimed at improving physical function and balance and reducing the fear of falling in seniors with a history of falls. The pilot study included an interprofessional falls assessment followed by a 12-week program of once-weekly group education and exercise sessions, 3- and 6-month follow-up visits, and individual counseling. To measure program effectiveness, the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Falls Efficacy Scale, and the Morse Fall Risk Scale were used at baseline, upon program completion, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Process measures were also collected, including patient satisfaction. Persistent improvements were found in participants' balance, strength, functional mobility, and fear of falling. Patient satisfaction with the program was high. Challenges faced in program implementation are also highlighted.

Lesões graves em vítimas de queda da própria altura

“…In spite of some debate, prevention programs seem to have positive effect, but their application is difficult. 19,21,[26][27][28][29][30] However, we have observed, in our date, that only 32.1% of FSL victims are aged over 60. In spite of its severity among the elderly, this trauma mechanism involves a greater number of patients with their own characteristics.…”

Sensitivity to Change and Responsiveness of Four Balance Measures for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…30,33 Limited evidence regarding the most responsive balance measures for community-dwelling older adults 5,10,14,16 may at least partially explain the frequent use of a combination of tests to assess change in balance in this population. 15,34,35 Because the median time to complete most standardized balance tests is 15 minutes, 14 administration of multiple tests can be expected to place considerable burden on both patients and clinicians and result in inefficiency in clinical and research settings. A comparison of commonly used balance measures within a single sample of community-dwelling older adults is needed to allow valid conclusions regarding their relative superiority and guide test selection by clinicians and researchers.…”

Falls in men on androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

“…Also, physicians should better screen patients who are not married or living alone since one of the hypotheses of the relationship between falls and marital status is that married people may have more social support at home which may mitigate fall risk. Those with one or more risk factors for falling beyond ADT, particularly one or more prior falls, may benefit from a more detailed assessment in a specialized falls clinic 39 . Prostate cancer clinicians should also recognize that falls are a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.…”