- AHFMR Magazine Jan/Feb 1998
Research shows that two thirds of accidents in people over the age of 65 are due to falls, daunting news when considering the huge number of baby boomers who will be senior citizens in little over a decade.
Most falls are preventable. Finding out what causes them and then designing programs to prevent them are priority research subjects for health regions throughout Alberta. Participants in AHFMR's regional training program, Swift Efficient Application of Research in Community Health (SEARCH), have concluded fall-prevention research throughout the province that focuses on identification of risks, education, and prevention programs.
Based on community effort and the participation of senior volunteers, two of the three research projects, although different in their approaches, focused on healthy seniors living in the community. Both studies concluded that interventions work to prevent further falls. Personal interviews with seniors, assessments of their homes and environments, prevention programs, and seniors-led education sessions were some of the interventions used. Common risks for falls included icy or slippery surfaces, drug reactions, footwear, medical conditions resulting in eye, ear, or bone problems, irresponsible drivers, and refusal to use canes and other aids. In one research project, seniors intended to lobby the city to increase the snow-removal budget.
The third project focused on frail seniors who are home care clients living in the community. Strength problems and multiple drugs were identified as the leading risks for falls for these study participants. One fall-prevention strategy that emerged from the study was to provide more physiotherapy to help build seniors' strength. Since only 10% of the seniors assessed had been referred to physiotherapy, a multi-disciplinary fall program focused on providing strength-building therapy for frail seniors and a pharmacy review for those at risk is now being considered in the region. After reviewing this study, Lucy Buller, another SEARCH participant in the Mistahia Health Region, has started a falls prevention pilot project which includes a strength-building component.
Although the three research projects are different in their approaches to fall prevention in seniors, the processes and end results of each are helping scores of elderly people in their communities have a better quality of life. Community research efforts like these also encourage further research and ensure policy-makers can make budget decisions based on priority community needs.
The three fall-prevention studies are "Steady As You Go," conducted in collaboration with the Capital Health Authority by Robin Brown, East Central Regional Health Authority; "Fall Risk Study in the Elderly," conducted by Sandra Doze, Crossroads Regional Health Authority; and "Falls Among Seniors," conducted by Kathy Farrell, Palliser Regional Health Authority. All three researchers are SEARCH participants.
SEARCH is an AHFMR-funded collaboration involving Alberta Health, the 17 regional health authorities, the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Board, and the valuable participation of the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. For more information about SEARCH and the upcoming SEARCH II program, please call Sharon Kalinka, Director of Special Programs, at (403) 423-5727 or e-mail skalinka@ahfmr.ab.ca. The SEARCH website is http://www.searchca.net/
Quick Reference of Contents:
Best Cartoon | Innovative Sleep Technology | Dreaming of Sleep
Back Tracking Technology | Diabetes Info | Diabetes and Aboriginals
Disseminating Research | Fall Prevention | Tracking Delirium
Silencing the Voice | SEARCH Profiles