Feasibility of interdisciplinary community-based fall risk screening

This pilot study examined the feasibility of (1) conducting interdisciplinary fall risk screens at a communitywide adult fall prevention event and (2) collecting preliminary follow-up data from people screened at the event about balance confidence and home and activity modifications made after recei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of occupational therapy 2012-03, Vol.66 (2), p.161-168
Main Authors: Elliott, Sharon J, Ivanescu, Andrada, Leland, Natalie E, Fogo, Jennifer, Painter, Jane A, Trujillo, Leonard G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accident Prevention
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Accidents
Adult Learning
Adults
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Aging (Individuals)
Balance
Community Education
Community Health Services
Community Relations
Consent
Councils
Data Analysis
Education
Exercise
Falls
Falls (Accidents)
Family Environment
Feasibility
Geriatrics
Guidelines
Health Services
Humans
Injuries
Interdisciplinary aspects
Intervention
Medical personnel
Medical screening
Middle Aged
Occupational therapy
Older Adults
Older people
Physical therapy
Pilot Projects
Postural Balance
Pretests Posttests
Prevention
Prognosis
Questionnaires
Research Design
Risk Assessment
Risk factors
Risk Reduction Behavior
Safety Equipment
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Summary:This pilot study examined the feasibility of (1) conducting interdisciplinary fall risk screens at a communitywide adult fall prevention event and (2) collecting preliminary follow-up data from people screened at the event about balance confidence and home and activity modifications made after receiving educational information at the event. We conducted a pilot study with pre- and posttesting (4-mo follow-up) with 35 community-dwelling adults ≥55 yr old. Approximately half the participants were at risk for falls. Most participants who anticipated making environmental or activity changes to reduce fall risk initiated changes (n = 8/11; 72.7%) during the 4-mo follow-up period. We found no significant difference in participants' balance confidence between baseline (median = 62.81) and follow-up (median = 64.06) as measured by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Conducting interdisciplinary fall risk screens at an adult fall prevention event is feasible and can facilitate environmental and behavior changes to reduce fall risk.
ISSN:0272-9490
1943-7676
DOI:10.5014/ajot.2012.002444