Citation

Scott VJ, Votova K, Gallagher E. J. Gerontol. Nurs. 2006; 32(10): 48-56.

Affiliation

British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, Ministry of Health Services, Victoria, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Healio)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17048756

Abstract

This article describes a quasi-experimental study on falls prevention for clients of home support services in British Columbia, Canada. The study tested a nurse-designed multifactorial intervention, delivered by community health workers. The intervention consisted of 1 day of falls surveillance and prevention training for 51 community health workers, followed by 6 months of evidence-based interventions with their clients (n = 70) using a pretested Checklist and Action Plan. Study findings showed a 43% reduction (chi2 = 8.742, p < .01) in falls and a 44% reduction (chi2 = 5.739, p < .05) for fallers (those who fell once or more) from the 6-month preintervention period to postintervention. The proportion of falls resulting in any injury did not decrease; however, fractures were reduced from seven in the 6-month preintervention period to one following the intervention. The results indicate this intervention is an effective and inexpensive falls prevention strategy for frail recipients of home support services.

Language: en