Abstract
OBJECTIVE: 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. METHOD: We conducted a pilot study with pre- and posttesting (4-mo follow-up) with 35 communitydwelling adults ≥55 yr old. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Conducting interdisciplinary fall risk screens at an adult fall prevention event is feasible and can facilitate environmental and behavior changes to reduce fall risk.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 161-168 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | American Journal of Occupational Therapy |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Occupational Therapy
Keywords
- Accident prevention
- Accidental falls
- Adaptation, psychological
- Community health services
- Postural balance
- Risk