Who attends community-based fall prevention programs?

Background: Falls result in devastating problems for older adults and lead to increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. One in three community-dwelling older adults fall each year, and close to half of older adults aged 80 and older fall each year. Several community-based fall prevention programs have been shown to reduce fall risks and fall-related injuries. Purpose: Describe the personal characteristics of participants who attend two statewide fall prevention programs in Pennsylvania. Methods: Participants were recruited from local Area Agencies on Aging and partnering senior centers that offer fall prevention programming to seniors. Results: Currently, 193 participants have been recruited from 33 senior centers/providers in eight counties in Pennsylvania. The mean age is 78, 45% of participants are 80 years or older, 82% female and 18% are African American. Seventy-eight percent live in a home or apartment in the community and only 6% receive homemaker or nursing services at home. In regards to participation in fall prevention programming, approximately 43% of participants had taken one of the two fall prevention programs. Seventy-eight percent of people completing either falls prevention program were less than 80 years old compared to 32% among those 80 or older, (p < .01). Conclusion: This finding has important implications for recruiting and engaging adults 80 years of age or older in community-based fall prevention programming. Fall prevention programs should consider the specific needs of this high risk group and employ strategies to further engage this population in fall prevention programs.