title: Adding self-management of chronic conditions to fall prevention: A feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess feasibility and impact of adding a long-term condition self-management program (Living a Healthy Life, LHL) into Steady as You Go (SAYGO) fall prevention exercise classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four-day LHL leader training workshop to deliver six weekly program. Focus groups explored feasibility and acceptability. Chronic disease self-efficacy, balance confidence, health behaviours and status were measured at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four leaders and 17 participants volunteered. Focus groups revealed that becoming a leader was considered stressful. Participants valued discussions about managing health, strategies for better communication with doctors, keeping track of medications, action plans and nutrition labels. Between 6-week and 12-month follow-up, self-rated health increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although participants valued LHL information, the low participation rates, time commitment and stress of becoming a leader and leading classes suggest that adding LHL to other fall prevention programs will need further consideration around integration of the programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Birgit Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wurzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Debra Lynn
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: School of Occupational Therapy, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Leigh Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hale
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Community Health Services/utilisation; aged; chronic disease; chronic disease/therapy; community-based; self-care; self-management