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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Examining the impact of a health report card on follow through with fall risk recommendations: an observational study

Authors: Abigail L. Kehrer-Dunlap, Rebecca M. Bollinger, Brianna Holden, Beau M. Ances, Susan Stark

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Increasing older adults’ awareness of their personal fall risk factors may increase their engagement in fall prevention. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of and participant satisfaction with a comprehensive occupational therapy fall risk screening and recommendations for evidence-based fall prevention strategies based on personalized fall risk results for community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Cognitively normal participants (Clinical Dementia Rating = 0) were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study of memory and aging. Participants completed 2 annual in-home visits, fall risk questionnaires, and 12 months of fall monitoring between visits. Participants received a health report card with their fall risks and tailored recommendations in 6 domains. Participants completed follow-up questions at their next annual in-home visit about the fall risk recommendations and their satisfaction with receiving their fall risk results.

Results

Two hundred five participants completed 2 annual visits and 12 months of fall monitoring. Of the 6 domains of recommendations provided, participants were most likely to follow through with getting an annual eye exam and reviewing their medications with their doctor or pharmacist. Older adults who fell were significantly more likely to receive recommendations for finding fall prevention classes (p = 0.01) and having a doctor or pharmacist review their medications (p = 0.004). The majority of participants were satisfied receiving their fall risk results (92%) and believed it to be beneficial (90%), though few participants shared their results with their doctor (20%).

Conclusions

An occupational therapy fall risk screening and tailored recommendations were not sufficient to encourage follow through with fall risk recommendations. Older adults may benefit from additional support and encouragement to reduce their fall risk. Additional research is needed to examine awareness of fall risks and follow through with fall risk recommendations among community-dwelling older adults.
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Metadata
Title
Examining the impact of a health report card on follow through with fall risk recommendations: an observational study
Authors
Abigail L. Kehrer-Dunlap
Rebecca M. Bollinger
Brianna Holden
Beau M. Ances
Susan Stark
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04686-y

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