51EVALUATION OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXERCISE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN A DAY HOSPITAL SETTING

Abstract

Introduction: Falls in the elderly is a major factor threatening the independence and usually occur when impairments in multiple domains compromise the compensatory ability of the individual. 30% people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of falling and 50% people over the age of 80 will fall at least once a year [1, 2] standard 6 aims "to reduce the number of falls resulting in serious injury and ensure effective treatment and rehabilitation for those who have fallen". We run a multidisciplinary balance programme, called the Be Stable Group, consisting of six sessions that takes place once a week for older people with falls and/or gait and balance problems. Patients are advised to continue the exercises after the course. Each week the programme incorporates an exercise programme (derived from OTAGO) delivered in a gym environment by physiotherapists, educational talks delivered by nurses and occupational therapists followed by a relaxation session. Educational talks include risk factors of falls, fear of falling, environmental hazards, medication, foot care, sight and hearing. Method(s): Sixty-seven patients were recruited of which 49 completed the BE STABLE Group in 2015.They were assessed before and after the programme using 180 degree turn, Timed get up and go (TGUAG), Berg balance, Confidence in Balance (Conf Bal) and Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety. Result(s): Retrospective analysis showed Berg balance improved in 76%, TGUAG improved in 74%. Conf Bal and anxiety also improved considerably. To monitor the effectiveness of the course, all participants were given telephone call at one and three months after completing the course. 74% had no falls after one month and 66% had no falls after 3 months. Conclusion(s): A multidisciplinary exercise and educational programme have proved to have considerable improvement on gait and balance and confidence in the elderly. One limitation of this study is the drop-out rate of 27% owing to poor motivation and residential change to a different provider.