Feasibility of Interdisciplinary Community-Based Fall Risk Screening

Authors

Sharon J. Elliott, Therapeutic Life Center
Andrada Ivanescu, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Natalie E. Leland, University of Indianapolis
Jennifer Fogo, East Carolina University
Jane A. Painter, East Carolina University
Leonard G. Trujillo, East Carolina University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2012

Journal / Book Title

American Journal of Occupational Therapy

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.

DOI

10.5014/ajot.2012.002444

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Elliott, Sharon J.; Ivanescu, Andrada; Leland, Natalie E.; Fogo, Jennifer; Painter, Jane A.; and Trujillo, Leonard G., "Feasibility of Interdisciplinary Community-Based Fall Risk Screening" (2012). Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 58.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/appliedmath-stats-facpubs/58