Barriers to senior centre implementation of falls prevention programmes.
This study examined the prevalence of senior centres providing multi-component falls prevention education and the perceived barriers in implementing this education. A telephone interview was conducted in 2006 with 500 senior centres nationwide. Centre directors were asked about the types of multi-component falls prevention education offered (ie, balance exercise classes, medication management, home safety information) and barriers to offering this education. Seventy percent of senior centres offered balance exercise classes, 68% offered medication management and 53% provided home safety information. Thirty-two percent offered all three components. Lack of staff, time and staff not feeling they had sufficient knowledge to deliver falls prevention education were the leading barriers to providing multi-component education. Senior centres provide components of effective falls prevention education and, while some may not address all components of a multifaceted programme, many have existing resources that may be adapted for translation of evidence-based programmes.
Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Ciara
C
Zachary
Carri
C
Casteel
Maryalice
M
Nocera
Carol W
CW
Runyan
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services