TY - JOUR
PY - 2017//
TI - Influences of a church-based intervention on falls risk among seniors
JO - WMJ (Wisconsin medical journal)
A1 - Briggs, Morgan
A1 - Morzinski, Jeffrey A.
A1 - Ellis, Julie
SP - 161
EP - 164
VL - 116
IS - 3
N2 - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prior studies illustrate that community-based programs effectively decrease falls risk in older adults and that faith-based programs improve health behaviors. The literature is unclear whether faith-based initiatives reduce seniors' fall risks. To tackle this gap, a long-term partnership led by 10 urban churches, a nearby nursing school, and a medical school developed a study with 3 objectives: determine baseline health concerns associated with falls (eg, depression, polypharmacy), implement a nurse-led, faith-based health education initiative for community-dwelling African American seniors at-risk of hospitalization, and assess pre- to post -program fall frequency.
METHODS: The 100 Healthy, At-Risk Families study team implemented 8 monthly educational health sessions promoting self-care and social support. Community nurses led the 60- to 90-minute sessions at each of 10 churches. To collect study data, nurses interviewed enrolled seniors pre- and post-intervention. Descriptive and comparison statistics were analyzed in Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
RESULTS: Senior data at baseline found high rates of polypharmacy and physical imbalance, and no significant depression or gaps in social support. There was not a statistically significant change pre- to post-program in fall frequency "in prior year." CONCLUSIONS: Study findings reveal insights about African American senior health and fall risks. Church settings may provide a protective, psychosocial buffer for seniors, while polypharmacy and mobility/balance concerns indicate need for continued attention to fall risks. No increase in pre- to post-program falls was encouraging. Language: en
LA - en
SN - 1098-1861
UR - http://dx.doi.org/
ID - ref1
ER -