Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Enablers And Barriers To Accessing Health Services After A Fall Among People With Intellectual Disability, Portia Ho, Caroline Bulsara, Shane Patman, Jenny Downs, Anne-Marie Hill

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Adults with intellectual disability experience high rates of falls making falls prevention an important health need. The purpose of the study was to seek perspectives of older adults with intellectual disability and their caregivers to (a) explore the experiences of older adults with intellectual disability when seeking healthcare services after a fall and (b) identify enablers and barriers when taking up evidence-based falls recommendations.

Method: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken as part of a prospective observational cohort study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample. Data were analysed thematically using Colaizzi's method.

Results: Seventeen interviews were conducted …

Understanding Falls In People With Intellectual Disability In Western Australia, Portia Ho

Theses

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience earlier age-related changes, compared with other age-matched populations, but concurrently their life expectancy is increasing. Falls often result in serious injuries and reduced health-related quality of life, however there is limited research regarding falls in older adults with ID. The purpose of this research was to investigate falls among community dwelling older adults with ID, including the epidemiology, risk factors and experiences when engaging with health services after a fall.

A meta-analysis of the incidence and prevalence of falls in adults with ID was initially conducted to inform the research aims. Prospective research was …

Validity Of The Falls Risk For Older People In The Community (Frop‑Com) Tool To Predict Falls And Fall Injuries For Older People Presenting To The Emergency Department After Falling, Marlon Mascarenhas, Keith D. Hill, Anna Barker, Elissa Burton

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

The aims of this study were to (1) externally validate the accuracy of the Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com) falls risk assessment tool in predicting falls and (2) undertake initial validation of the accuracy of the FROPCom to predict injurious falls (requiring medical attention) in people aged ≥ 60 years presenting to emergency departments (EDs) after falling. Two hundred and thirteen participants (mean age = 72.4 years; 59.2% women) were recruited (control group of a randomised controlled trial). A FROP-Com assessment was completed at a home visit within 2 weeks of ED discharge. Data on falls …

Addressing Challenges In Gaining Informed Consent For A Research Study Investigating Falls In People With Intellectual Disability, Portia Ho, Caroline Bulsara, Shane Patman, Jenny Downs, Anne-Marie Hill

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: People with intellectual disability encounter multiple barriers to accessing quality, evidence based health care which is detrimental to their quality of life (Qol) and mortality. Engaging people with intellectual disability when conducting research is vital to address these QoL issues. People with intellectual disability have the right to engage in research pertinent to them but at present, they are under-represented in research and there are limited methods available to ensure that people with intellectual disability are fully supported to provide informed consent. Therefore the aim of this paper is to describe an informed consent process and reflect on the …

Evaluating The Impact Of Operating A Falls Prevention Community Of Practice On Falls In A Residential Aged Care Setting, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Terry Haines, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Debbie Nobre, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background/Purpose: Falls are a leading adverse event in residential aged care (RAC) settings with prevention a global aim. The purpose of this study was to determine whether operating a falls prevention community of practice (CoP) delivering evidence-based prevention interventions could change the rate of falls and injurious falls in a RAC setting.

Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental pre/post design was conducted. Participants were 13 RAC sites (779 beds) of a single RAC organization, with 20 multidisciplinary staff volunteering as CoP members.

Results: Falls rates pre CoP were 10.1/1,000 occupied bed days (OBD) compared with 10.9 /1,000 OBD post CoP operation [coefficient …

Evaluation Of Older People's Knowledge, Awareness, Motivation And Perceptions About Falls And Falls Prevention In Residential Aged Care Homes: A Tale Of Two Cities, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Tessa Watts, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Gerwyn Panes, Howard Griffiths, Michelle Anderson, Tracy Williams, Beth Griffiths, Debbie Nobre, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Falls prevention strategies can only be effective in reducing falls amongst older people if they are adopted and enacted in their daily lives. There is limited evidence identifying what older people in residential aged care (RAC) homes understand about falls and falls prevention, or what may limit or enable their adoption of strategies. This study was conducted in two countries and explored older people’s knowledge and awareness of falls and their preferences, opportunities and motivation to undertake falls prevention strategies. A cross-sectional survey was administered to participants (N = 70) aged 65 years and over, living in six RAC homes …

Investigating Falls In Adults With Intellectual Disability Living In Community Settings And Their Experiences Of Post-Fall Care Services: Protocol For A Prospective Observational Cohort Study, Portia Ho, Caroline Bulsara, Shane Patman, Max Bulsara, Jenny Downs, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Falls among older adults with intellectual disability (ID) are recognised as a serious health problem potentially resulting in reduced health-related quality of life and premature placement in residential care. However there are limited studies that have investigated this problem and thus falls rates among older adults with ID remain uncertain. Furthermore, people with ID rely heavily on familial and professional care support to address health problems, such as after having a fall. No studies have explored the post-fall care that people with ID receive.

Method: This research will be carried out in two phases using a convergent mixed methods …

Community Peer-Led Falls Prevention Presentations: What Do The Experts Suggest?, Linda Khong, Richard G. Berlach, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

Falls among older adults are a major problem. Despite considerable progress in falls prevention research, older adults often show low motivation to engage in recommended preventive strategies. Peer-led falls prevention education for older adults may have potential for bridging the research evidence-practice gap, thereby promoting the uptake of falls prevention strategies. We evaluated peer educators’ presentations of falls prevention education to community-dwelling older adults in regard to established criteria that were consistent with adult learning principles, the framework of health behaviour change, falls prevention guidelines, and recommendations for providing falls prevention information. We conducted a within-stage mixed model study using …

How Older Adults Would Like Falls Prevention Information Delivered: Fresh Insights From A World Cafe Forum, Linda Khong, Caroline Bulsara, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

Translation of falls prevention evidence into practice is problematic. Understanding older adults’ views about falls prevention information could enhance delivery of falls prevention, resulting in better engagement and uptake of recommended activities. The aim of this study was to examine the views and preferences of community-dwelling older adults about seeking and receiving falls prevention information. A community forum using a modified World Café approach was conducted. Participants discussed five topic areas in small groups, under the guidance of table facilitators. Perspectives were captured on paper. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence participants’ engagement and uptake of information. …

Can Peer Education Improve Beliefs, Knowledge, Motivation And Intention To Engage In Falls Prevention Amongst Community-Dwelling Older Adults?, Linda Khong, Richard G. Berlach, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of delivering a contemporary peer-led falls prevention education presentation on community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge, motivation and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies. A two-group quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test study using a convenience sample was conducted. A new falls prevention training package for peer educators was developed, drawing on contemporary adult learning and behaviour change principles. A 1-h presentation was delivered to community-dwelling older adults by peer educators trained with the new package (intervention group). Control group participants received an existing, 1-h falls prevention presentation by trained peer educators who had …

"We Are All One Together": Peer Educators' Views About Falls Prevention Education For Community-Dwelling Older Adults - A Qualitative Study, Linda Khong, Fiona Farringdon, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Falls are common in older people. Despite strong evidence for effective falls prevention strategies, there appears to be limited translation of these strategies from research to clinical practice. Use of peers in delivering falls prevention education messages has been proposed to improve uptake of falls prevention strategies and facilitate translation to practice. Volunteer peer educators often deliver educational presentations on falls prevention to community-dwelling older adults. However, research evaluating the effectiveness of peer-led education approaches in falls prevention has been limited and no known study has evaluated such a program from the perspective of peer educators involved in delivering …

Cost Effectiveness Of Patient Education For The Prevention Of Falls In Hospital: Economic Evaluation From A Randomized Controlled Trial, Terry P. Haines, Anne-Marie Hill, Keith D. Hill, Sandra G. Brauer, Tammy Hoffmann, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Steven M. Mcphail

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background

Falls are one of the most frequently occurring adverse events that impact upon the recovery of older hospital inpatients. Falls can threaten both immediate and longer-term health and independence. There is need to identify cost-effective means for preventing falls in hospitals. Hospital-based falls prevention interventions tested in randomized trials have not yet been subjected to economic evaluation.

Methods

Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken from the health service provider perspective, over the period of hospitalization (time horizon) using the Australian Dollar (A$) at 2008 values. Analyses were based on data from a randomized trial among n = 1,206 acute and …

A Randomized Trial Comparing Digital Video Disc With Written Delivery Of Falls Prevention Education For Older Patients In Hospital, Anne-Marie Hill, Steven Mcphail, Tammy Hoffman, Keith Hill, David Oliver, Christopher Beer, Sandra Brauer, Terry P. Haines

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of a digital video disc (DVD) with that of a written workbook delivering falls prevention education to older hospital patients on self-perceived risk of falls, perception of falls epidemiology, knowledge of prevention strategies, and motivation and confidence to engage in self-protective strategies. To compare the effect of receiving either education approach versus no education on patients' perception of falls epidemiology.

Design: Randomized trial (DVD vs workbook) with additional quasi-experimental control group.

Settings: Geriatric, medical, and orthopedic wards in Perth and Brisbane, Australia.

Participants: One hundred (n=51 DVD, n=49 workbook) hospital inpatients aged 60 and older …