141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

279518
Protective and risk factors for physical activity and falls among oldest-old adults enrolled in an evidence-based fall risk reduction program

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 2:30 PM - 2:42 PM

Jinmyoung Cho, PhD , Center for Applied Health Research/School of Rural Public Health, Scott & White Healthcare/Texas A&M Health Science Center, CollegeStation, TX
Matthew Lee Smith, PhD, MPH, CHES , Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, The University of Georgia, College of Public Health, Athens, GA
Luohua Jiang , Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX
Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH , Social & Behavioral Health, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Background. As approximately half of the oldest-old population experience functional limitations, they are more likely to encounter declining health status and independence resulting in high healthcare utilization and related costs. Although community-based fall risk reduction programs for older adults have been implemented and disseminated, little is known about factors related to their effectiveness among the oldest-old. This study examines protective and risk factors associated with weekly physical activity and number of falls among oldest-old participants enrolled in A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader model (AMOB/VLL).

Methods. This study included 260 participants aged 85 years and older enrolled in the Texas AMOB/VLL. Poisson mixed regression models were employed to assess potential protective (falls efficacy and self-rated health) and risk (pain, fatigue, and health interference) factors for weekly physical activity and number of falls from baseline to post-intervention after controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, age, and number of chronic conditions.

Results. Weekly physical activity and number of falls improved significantly from baseline to post-intervention (Β= .14, p < 0.05, Β= -.35, p < 0.05, respectively). Falls efficacy scores and self-rate health (as protectors) as well as fatigue and health interference scores (as risk factors) at baseline were significantly related to weekly physical activity and number of falls among oldest-old participants.

Conclusion. Findings indicate program elements of AMOB/VLL are effective to improve physical activity and reduce falls among the oldest-old population. However, this program may be complemented by additional components to improve health status and physical ailments in attempt to maximize benefits among participants.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the benefits of A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader model (AMOB/VLL) in terms of weekly physical activity and number of falls among oldest-old participants. Identify the protective and risk factors associated with weekly physical activity and number of falls among oldest-old adults participated in AMOB/VLL. Discuss policy implications of enhancing physical activity and preventing falls among the oldest-old population.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been trained as a post-doctoral fellow with a focus on healthy aging and involved in research related to promoting physical activity among older adults.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.