The design and implementation of a theory-based interdisciplinary falls prevention pilot program for community dwelling older adults

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the development of an interdisciplinary community-based falls prevention program that integrated self-efficacy theory and to evaluate its impact on awarenessof fall risk factors and self-efficacy to engage in behaviors that reduce fall risk. Twenty-three communitydwelling older adults participated in a five-week falls prevention program held at a community centerin a large metropolitan county in the Mid-Atlantic. Positive improvements were demonstrated across alloutcome measures. Our findings indicate that a theory-based interdisciplinary falls prevention programincreased self-efficacy and awareness of falls risk factors in older adults.

Examining the relationship between falls self-efficacy and postural sway in community-dwelling older adults

“…Interpreting these results using the BPS perspective through the ICF framework, researchers looked at the dynamic interaction between mental and physical domains within rehabilitation instead of looking only at one or the other. Interventions have been taking this multifactorial approach when creating programs to decrease risk for falls in the older adult population and have had success (Tripken et al, 2017). Schepens et al (2012) found that not only was fall self-efficacy strongly positively correlated with higher levels of activity but there was a difference between balance confidence and falls self-efficacy.…”