Designing and implementing an interventional health-promotion program to prevent falls in elderly

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 30; no. Supplement_5
• Main Authors: Sakaretsanou, A K, Bakola, M, Kitsou, K S, Bizirgianni, V, Jelastopulu, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Collaboration; Deception; Elder care; Environmental aspects; Environmental factors; Falls; Health education; Health promotion; Health services; Home environment; Hospitals; Intervention; Medical personnel; Meetings; Men; Nursing homes; Older people; Public health; Quality of life; Risk analysis; Risk assessment; Risk management; Risk reduction; Social workers; Workers
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.469

Abstract Background A fall is defined as the unexpected event in which the participant is accidentally lying on the ground, on the floor, or at a lower level. It is often the reason why the elderly are admitted to hospitals or other care facilities, such as nursing homes. Health promotion programs are playing an essential role in raising awareness about how to prevent falls among older adults who are living away from their homes. Our aim was to inform and raise awareness about falls in this population group in an Elderly Care Unit in Patras, through a six month health promotion action program. Methods The program was implemented September 2018 to February 2019. The intervention group consisted of 16 seniors. Twelve meetings were held, which included hands-on exercises, discussions, collaboration with a social worker and physiotherapist, and leaflet sharing. Results A total of 16 seniors (10 women and 6 men), over 60 years old participated in the program. Twelve meetings were held, which included hands-on exercises, discussions, leaflet sharing and collaboration with a social worker and a physiotherapist. During each meeting every participant was excited and joyful with the knowledge and material provided. At the final evaluation, the majority remembered that they should look after in order not to fall, but they couldn't remember the simple, everyday exercises which were shown during the meetings and would improve their quality of life. Conclusions Having in mind that there are seniors who are unable to remember discussions and advices given on a regular basis, a risk assessment should be done by health professionals in order to establish fall risk reduction policies and correct the endogenous and environmental factors that cause the falls. Key message Assistance in reducing fall risk through assessments, analyses, and provision of recommendations regarding home environments is of great importance.