Citation

Adamczewska N, Vassallo M, Thomas PW, Thomas S, Barrado-Martín Y, Nyman SR. Alzheimer Dis. Assoc. Disord. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology and Ageing & Dementia Research Centre.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/WAD.0000000000000364

PMID

31789633

Abstract

This study compared different methods for collecting data on falls among people with dementia to identify which is most feasible and accurate. Eighty-three dyads, comprised of a community-dwelling person with dementia and their informal carer, participated in the TAi ChI for people with demenTia (TACIT) trial. Falls were collected prospectively over 6 months using monthly calendars, weekly and monthly telephone interviews, and 3-monthly telephone interviews with the carer. Unique falls identified across the reporting methods were combined, and this total was compared against each reporting method in isolation and combinations. A higher frequency of falls indicated greater accuracy. Falls data collection was most feasible with weekly telephone interviews (84%), and most accurate with the combination of weekly telephone interviews with monthly calendars (96%). For the greatest completeness and accuracy of falls data with community-dwelling people with dementia, researchers should use both weekly telephone interviews and monthly calendars.

Language: en