title: Evaluation of a community-based falls prevention program in South Florida, 2008-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many older adults experience fear of falling, which may reduce participation in routine activities. A Matter of Balance (MOB) and Un Asunto de Equilibrio (ADE) workshops were offered in South Florida to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels in older adults. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the lay leader model of the programs in the first year of their implementation and to further report on participant outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed reach, adoption, and implementation data for participants who attended workshops between October 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, who were aged 60 years or older, and who had both baseline and posttest outcome data. Workshops were in English and Spanish and consisted of 8 two-hour sessions. Participants completed a 7-item baseline and posttest questionnaire that consisted of a falls management scale, a social activity item, and modified version of Physician-Based Assessment and Counseling on Exercise. We analyzed outcome data on multiple characteristics using a general linear model. A class evaluation questionnaire measured participant satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results for 562 participants who provided both baseline and posttest data showed significant improvement on 6 of 7 questions for MOB and all questions for ADE (P < .001). The 391 participants who provided evaluation data indicated that the programs were effective, beneficial, and well organized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lay leaders successfully implemented the programs in community settings. The programs were effective in reducing fear of falling among older adults.
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA. abatr001@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Anamica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melchior
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seff
authors.forename: Newman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frederick
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires