Date Presented 04/20/21
Most research studying fall experiences and fall prevention program preferences focuses on older adults, overlooking the falls that occur in midlife. This pilot study gathered preliminary data on fall experiences, consequences, and fall prevention preferences of adults in midlife. Almost all participants experienced functional consequences from their fall and had interest in learning about fall prevention, suggesting that fall prevention programs could be beneficial for middle-aged adults.
Primary Author and Speaker: Meredith H. Lee
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rachel Reed
Contributing Authors: Samantha Grant, Jodi Thomas, and Roy St. Laurent
PURPOSE: The majority of research studying fall experiences, consequences of falls, and fall prevention program preferences has focused on adults over the ages of sixty-five. However, there is little research to support the fact that middle aged adults are also experiencing falls and suffering from physical, psychological, functional, and financial consequences. The purpose of this pilot study was to gather preliminary data on fall or near fall experiences, consequences, and fall prevention preferences among adults in midlife.
DESIGN: This was a descriptive, pilot study. Through convenience sampling, researchers recruited a group of twenty participants aged fifty to sixty five years old who had recently experienced a fall, near fall, or fear of falling.
METHOD: Researchers conducted a survey over the phone that included questions about the participant's demographic information, the participant's daily activities, the circumstances surrounding the fall or near fall, and their fall prevention program preferences. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to run descriptive analyses focusing on means and frequencies.
RESULTS: This study revealed that ninety percent of participants had some level of interest in learning more about fall prevention and eighty percent had some level of interest in participating in a fall prevention program. It was found that eighty-five percent of participants were experiencing falls outdoors, primarily caused by environmental hazards. Many participants missed work, were unable to drive, and changed the type or amount of exercise they did for some period of time due to their fall.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study found that a high percentage of middle aged adult participants were interested in learning more about falls prevention, and had experienced functional consequences due to their fall. The results of this study suggest that Occupational Therapists should address fall prevention in middle age adults, in addition to older adults, because middle age adults are also experiencing falls, experiencing functional consequences from falls, and are interested in learning more about fall prevention. Specifically, the results indicate the program should address the prevention of falls that occur outdoors and are caused by environmental hazards. However, more research is needed to confirm the findings of this small pilot study.
References
Chippendale, T., Bhojwani, S., Conley, M. et al. Falls experiences and prevention preferences of adults in midlife. J Community Health 44, 1160–1167 (2019). https://doi-org.proxy.library.nyu.edu/10.1007/s10900-019-00703-z
Talbot, L.A., Musiol, R.J., Witham, E.K., & Metter, E.J. (2005). Falls in young, middle-aged and older community dwelling adults: perceived cause, environmental factors and injury. BMC Public Health, 5, 86-86.
Verma, S. K., Willetts, J. L., Corns, H. L., Marucci-Wellman, H. R., Lombardi, D. A., & Courtney, T. K. (2016). Falls and fall-related injuries among community-dwelling adults in the United States. Plos One, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150939
Peeters, G., van Schoor, N. M., Cooper, R., Tooth, L., & Kenny, R. A. (2018). Should prevention of falls start earlier? Co-ordinated analyses of harmonised data on falls in middle-aged adults across four population-based cohort studies. PLoS ONE, 13(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201989
