Fall Prevention Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Community Stakeholders and Older Adults
Table 3
(a) Older adults concern about falling compared to other personal health and safety issues,
Fall concerns
%
One of the most important health and safety issues that concerns you
31
Only one of several you are concerned with
36
One of the least important personal health and safety issues you are concerned with
34
(b) Older adult knowledge of, attitude toward, and participation in, fall prevention practices,
Fall prevention practice
Endorsed when unaided
Endorsed when aided
Practice perceived as very important
Participation in practice
%
Individual assessment of fall risk
1
52
29
16
Strength and balance training
8
88
59
54
Home assessment and safety
21
61
42
37
improvement
Review and management of medications
0
59
65
29
Training and use of assistive devices*
69†
27
49
48
Fall prevention education
2
34
22
4‡
*Only 27% of older adults used canes or walkers. †Although specific training in using walkers and canes was not mentioned by any of the respondents, they were focused on being cautious when walking, moving slowly, wearing good/safe shoes, using canes/walkers, and holding on to things. ‡Indicates past year participation in fall prevention education.
(c) Older adults’ participation in practices based on the perceived importance of falls as a health concern,
Falls perceived to be an important health
and safety concern
Fall prevention practice
Yes
No
(%)
(%)
Individual assessment of risk
Participated in practice
20
(65)
21
(30)*
Not participated
11
(35)
49
(70)
Strength and balance training
Participated in practice
19
(61)
53
(76)
Not participated
12
(39)
17
(24)
Home assessment and safety improvement
Participated in practice
26
(84)
46
(66)*
Not participated
5
(16)
24
(34)
Review and management of medications
Participated in practice
19
(66)
27
(40)*
Not participated
10
(34)
40
(60)
Training and use of assistive devices†
Participated in practice
6
(55)
8
(44)
Not participated
5
(45)
10
(56)
Fall prevention education
Participated in practice
5
(16)
10
(14)
Not participated
26
(84)
(60)
(86)
*Significant ( is not statistically significant). †Only 27 persons reported using a cane/walker.
