A protocol for evidence-based targeting and evaluation of statewide strategies for preventing falls among community-dwelling older people in Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Day, Lesley , Finch, Caroline , Hill, Keith , Haines, Terry , Clemson, Lindy , Thomas, Margaret , Thompson, Catherine
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 17, no. 2 (2011), p. 1-8
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/546282
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- Description: Background: Falls are a significant threat to the safety, health and independence of older citizens. Despite the now substantial evidence about effective falls prevention interventions, translation into falls reductions has not yet been fully realised. While the hip fracture rate is decreasing, the number and rate of fall-related hospital admissions among older people is increasing. The challenge now is to deliver the most effective interventions efficiently at a population level, and for these interventions to be taken up by older people. Objective: To support the development, and evaluation of, effective falls prevention policy and practice in the state of Victoria, Australia. Methods: The RE-AIM model (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) was used to identify strategies for an effective programme. Research objectives were developed to support the strategies. These include: (1) identification of subgroups of older people most frequently admitted to hospital for falls; (2) examining the acceptability of established falls interventions; (3) identification of factors that encourage and support relevant lifestyle changes; (4) identifying opportunities to incorporate confirmed interventions in existing programmes and services; (5) developing guidelines for sustainability. The research results will subsequently guide strategy details for the falls prevention plan. RE-AIM will provide the framework for the evaluation structure. Outcome measures: Measures to monitor the implementation of the selected interventions will be determined for each intervention, based on the five key factors of the RE-AIM model. The overall effect of the falls prevention plan will be monitored by time series analysis of fall-related hospital admission rates for community-dwelling older people.
Fall Prevention in Australia: Policies and activities
- Authors: Clemson, Lindy , Finch, Caroline , Hill, Keith , Lewin, Gill
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Clinics in geriatric medicine Vol. 26, no. 4 (2010), p. 733-749
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- Description: Fall prevention recommendations and plans have been prolific in Australia since 1986 but Commonwealth recommendations have rarely been acted on from a national perspective and the funds for prevention at a national level have been limited At a state level, although increasing annually funds for fall prevention have also remained as only a low proportion of total health spending Several Australian states have developed their own strategic plans and their activities have developed separately and uniquely although referring to national guidelines This article presents a perspective of Australian fall prevention policy over time provides insights into the current focus, and draws on some specific examples of activities from the 2 most populous Australian states (New South Wales and Victoria) and from our largest geographic state Western Australia
Investigation of older adults’ participation in exercises following completion of a state-wide survey targeting evidence-based falls prevention strategies
- Authors: Lee, Den-Ching , Day, Lesley , Finch, Caroline , Hill, Keith , Clemson, Lindy , McDermott, Fiona , Haines, Terry
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity Vol.23, no.2 (2014), p.256-263
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
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- Description: This paper examines whether involvement in an observational study may prompt participants to change their exercise behaviors. Data was collected from 394 older community dwellers in Victoria, Australia using a baseline survey, and 245 of these participated in a follow-up survey one year later. Survey domains were drawn from constructs of relevant health behavior models. Results showed that the proportion of respondents who were currently participating in exercises to prevent falls at follow-up was 12% higher than at baseline (Wilcoxon p value<0.001). Twenty-nine percent reported they had changed their perceptions about falls and their risk of falls, with comments focused on threat appraisal. Forty-four percent reported having taken strategies to reduce their risk of falling, with comments based on implementation of different preventive strategies. Respondents who held favorable views towards exercises for the prevention of falls appear to change their behaviors that might address falls when participating in observational studies.