Protocol for prevention of falls among older adults in community settings

Abstract

Falls are common in persons over the age of 65 years and a leading cause of morbidity and disability. It is estimated that one-third of older persons fall each year and one out of five falls results in serious injuries like fractures or head trauma. Many conditions, besides age, have been identified as risk factors for fall. Most falls can be prevented. In Lebanon, knowledge about the prevalence of falls and the seriousness of fall-related injuries is limited. There is a persistent need to combine the efforts of the private and public health care sectors, and mass media in raising awareness in the community. The purpose of this research utilization project was to identify interventions shown to decrease falls and fall injuries in the literature, and develop a protocol to prevent falls in community dwelling adults that is applicable in the Lebanese context. Plenty of studies and organizations have addressed awareness for fall risks, fall outcomes, and particularly fall prevention in the older population. In their homes, older adults and their families are more willing to create an ultimately safe environment and participate in healthy behaviors. The World Health Organization reports that older adults who reside in the community fall less frequently than those who are living in nursing homes, but the larger number of older adults living at home means most falls and injuries occur at home. The proposed protocol, however, could also be applied in any long-term-care facility caring for relatively functional older adults. The protocol involves a preliminary assessment for risk of falls using a self-report instrument filled by participants recruited from primary health care centers. Based on the results, eligibility of participants for inclusion in the protocol will be determined. High-risk participants will undergo more in depth assessment by health care providers then will be provided with an educational program involving three sessions provided by a multidisciplinary team. Low risk patients will be provided with ed