Barriers to senior centre implementation of falls prevention programmes

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of senior centers providing multi-component falls prevention education and the perceived barriers in implementing this education. A telephone interview was conducted in 2006 with 500 senior centers nationwide. Centre directors were asked about the types of multi-component falls prevention education offered (ie, balance exercise classes, medication management, home safety information) and barriers to offering this education. Seventy percent of senior centers offered balance exercise classes, 68% offered medication management and 53% provided home safety information. Thirty-two percent offered all three components. Lack of staff, time and staff not feeling they had sufficient knowledge to deliver falls prevention education were the leading barriers to providing multi-component education. Senior centers provide components of effective falls prevention education and, while some may not address all components of a multifaceted programmed, many have existing resources that may be adapted for translation of evidence-based programmers.