Residential Modification & Evaluating a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program
By Richard Shank
A recent study examined the impact of a 12-week falls prevention program called Stand Up! In a quasi-experimental design, they evaluated the physical activity of 200 participants. Stand Up! includes balance exercises and educational components about the importance of physical activity as a preventative of falls.
Sedentary lifestyles are a recognized risk factor for serious falls-related injuries. In the U.S., it has been estimated that only 30% of older adults exercise enough to have any positive health benefits. Poor balance is the primary precursor to falls for older adults. Previous research has shown that strength- and balance-training exercises can improve falls risk in both community and institutional settings.
Stand Up! is a 12-week community-based falls prevention program designed to improve static balance and mobility among participants. The program has three basic modules: 1) a twice-weekly exercise class; 2) a weekly home exercise class; and 3) and a weekly educational class. In addition, Stand Up! introduces participants to physical exercises and activity resources available in their community.
The researchers found that physical activity significantly increased from an average of 10.7 times per week per participant to 15.4 times per week per participant. They found a similar positive trend with regard to calories burned during exercise throughout the week. They concluded that falls reduction programs that provide robust physical exercises and resources about the importance of maintaining physical activity beyond the formal classes of the program will have the greatest chance of success.
Source: Laforest, S., Gauvin, L., Pelletier, A., Robitaille, Y. et al. 2009. Impact of a community-based falls prevention program on maintenance of physical activity among older adults. Journal of Aging and Health 21:480-500..
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