Dal Bello-Haas V1, Malik H1, Virag B2, Fick F3, Hunter P3, Kaasalainen S2
1McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation Science, Hamilton, Canada, 2McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 3University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Background: Falls in community-dwelling older adults represent a major public health concern worldwide. Adherence to exercise programs in older adults with a history of falling is a concern. Drawing on older adult's perspectives regarding motivators, barriers and facilitators to program attendance and participation can assist with development and delivery of fall prevention programs that align well with needs, which in turn may increase adherence. It is also imperative to also garner input from the program providers who are involved in developing and delivering the fall prevention programs. Research exploring the perspectives of older adults participating in community-based fall prevention programs is limited; there is a lack of research exploring program providers' experiences with and perspectives of fall prevention program development, delivery, implementation, and sustainability; and; research conducted in the Canadian context is lacking.
Purpose: The purposes were to
1) comprehensively document the characteristics of fall prevention programs in specific regions in two Canadian provinces; and,
2) explore older adults' and program providers' views and experiences with fall prevention initiatives.
Methods: We used qualitative data collection methods, e.g., interviews and focus groups to address our study objectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 program providers or managers from 12 different fall prevention programs; and, 10 semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 59 older adults who had previously attended or were currently attending a fall prevention program. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: Older adult participants were predominantly married females, with a mean age of 79.6 (SD = 7.9) years; and, the majority had completed grade school and were retired at the time of study participation. Program provider participants ranged from 27 to 58 years of age and the vast majority were female (93.7%). Over 80% had a bachelor's degree and job titles were variable. Half of the program providers had formal fall prevention training, but less than 20% had previous experience working with a fall prevention initiative prior to their current role. Fall prevention program attendance rendered several functional and social benefits, including socialization and increased confidence. Both program providers and older adult participants identified various personal, program and system level factors that either facilitated or hindered program delivery. Barriers to program attendance and success included cognitive impairment, frailty, transportation issues, lack of motivation, and schedule conflict. The need for greater awareness and appreciation of fall prevention programs and attitudinal changes towards older adults and broader community environmental changes were identified. While many motivators and facilitators were identified, offering programs free of charge was a critical factor for older adults.
Conclusion(s): The findings highlight the need for easily accessible knowledge of fall prevention programs for older adults, as well as no cost, on-going programs rather than time-limited programs.
Implications: Physiotherapists play an important role in the dissemination of information, facilitating referrals, systems navigation and advocating for fall prevention programs that best meet the needs of older adults in their community. Understanding factors that facilitate or hinder program delivery and barriers to program attendance and success is key to effective program development and delivery.
Keywords: older adults, program providers, experiences and perspectives
Funding acknowledgements: Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
Purpose: The purposes were to
1) comprehensively document the characteristics of fall prevention programs in specific regions in two Canadian provinces; and,
2) explore older adults' and program providers' views and experiences with fall prevention initiatives.
Methods: We used qualitative data collection methods, e.g., interviews and focus groups to address our study objectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 program providers or managers from 12 different fall prevention programs; and, 10 semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 59 older adults who had previously attended or were currently attending a fall prevention program. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: Older adult participants were predominantly married females, with a mean age of 79.6 (SD = 7.9) years; and, the majority had completed grade school and were retired at the time of study participation. Program provider participants ranged from 27 to 58 years of age and the vast majority were female (93.7%). Over 80% had a bachelor's degree and job titles were variable. Half of the program providers had formal fall prevention training, but less than 20% had previous experience working with a fall prevention initiative prior to their current role. Fall prevention program attendance rendered several functional and social benefits, including socialization and increased confidence. Both program providers and older adult participants identified various personal, program and system level factors that either facilitated or hindered program delivery. Barriers to program attendance and success included cognitive impairment, frailty, transportation issues, lack of motivation, and schedule conflict. The need for greater awareness and appreciation of fall prevention programs and attitudinal changes towards older adults and broader community environmental changes were identified. While many motivators and facilitators were identified, offering programs free of charge was a critical factor for older adults.
Conclusion(s): The findings highlight the need for easily accessible knowledge of fall prevention programs for older adults, as well as no cost, on-going programs rather than time-limited programs.
Implications: Physiotherapists play an important role in the dissemination of information, facilitating referrals, systems navigation and advocating for fall prevention programs that best meet the needs of older adults in their community. Understanding factors that facilitate or hinder program delivery and barriers to program attendance and success is key to effective program development and delivery.
Keywords: older adults, program providers, experiences and perspectives
Funding acknowledgements: Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
Topic: Older people; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: 1. McMaster University; 2. University of Saskatchewan
Ethics committee: Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board; Behavioural Research Ethics Board
Ethics number: #2182; #16-393
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
