title: Falling less in kansas: development of a fall risk reduction toolkit.
abstract: Falls are a serious health risk for older adults. But for those living in rural and frontier areas of the USA, the risks are higher because of limited access to health care providers and resources. This study employed a community-based participatory research approach to develop a fall prevention toolkit to be used by residents of rural and frontier areas without the assistance of health care providers. Qualitative data were gathered from both key informant interviews and focus groups with a broad range of participants. Data analysis revealed that to be effective and accepted, the toolkit should be not only evidence based but also practical, low-cost, self-explanatory, and usable without the assistance of a health care provider. Materials must be engaging, visually interesting, empowering, sensitive to reading level, and appropriate for low-vision users. These findings should be useful to other researchers developing education and awareness materials for older adults in rural areas.
authors.affiliation: Regional Institute on Aging, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Radebaugh
authors.forename: Candace A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bahner
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ballard-Reisch
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epp
authors.forename: Ladonna S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Rich
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kendrick
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Nicole L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Rogers