A Fall Prevention Educational Program for Community Dwelling Seniors

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess participants' responses to a fall prevention educational program. Fourteen persons volunteered to participate in the study conducted at a large senior center. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample and to assess subjects' awareness about falls, attitudes about fall risk, fall prevention behaviors, and incidence of falls before the fall prevention program and again at one month and three months after the program. Forty-six percent of the sample had fallen in the previous year. In general, subjects' perceptions that their risk of falling was lower than others of the same age and sex increased following the fall prevention program. Additionally, subjects were somewhat more concerned about falling after attendance at the fall prevention program. Most of the participants completed the home safety checklist; however, very few subjects made changes at home to reduce the risk of falling or did the recommended muscle strengthening exercises. Suggestions for community fall prevention programs are offered based upon the pilot results.