Citation

Elliott SJ, Ivanescu A, Leland NE, Fogo J, Painter JA, Trujillo LG. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2012; 66(2): 161-168.

Affiliation

Sharon J. Elliott, DHS, GCG, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, is Adult Therapy Services Coordinator, Therapeutic Life Center, PO Box 2163, Greenville, NC 27836; sjelliottotr@embarqmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Occupational Therapy Association)

DOI

10.5014/ajot.2012.002444

PMID

22394525

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 community-dwelling 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.

Language: en