CT Preventing Falls in the Elderly Using “Stepping On”: A Group-Based Education Program

Abstract

Stepping On is a multifaceted falls-prevention program for the community-residing elderly. The programs are held in local community venues and run for seven 2-hour weekly sessions, with a follow-up home visit contact and a 3- month booster session. About 30% of older people who fall lose their self-confidence and start to go out less often. Inactivity leads to social isolation and loss of muscle strength and balance, increasing the risk of falling. Stepping On aims to break that cycle, engaging people is a range of relevant fall preventive strategies. Stepping On content draws on current evidence for falls prevention. The program has been proven to reduce falls. A detailed manual is available to enable occupational therapists to run the program. I feel more confident and I'm going out more. -Marie, a client It's made me more aware, just so much more aware. Of the buses, of my place. Of making it brighter inside, getting rid of leaves outside, of everything. -Roleena, a client What you have done is focus on our abilities. No one else has done that. -Nancy, a client I have had some near falls but you have a quicker recovery and your muscles don't collapse. -Herbert, a client © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.