Preventing Falls in Older Adults: A SAFE Approach

Abstract

In 2019, the Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC) reported that one in four older adults suffer from a fall every year in the United States. A literature review revealed that the majority of fall prevention takes place post fall in the acute care or post-acute care settings through skilled care or home health services. No best practice guidelines were found addressing public health safety awareness, however the STEAI Initiative formed by the CDC was an effort to prevent falls through the primary care provider. Materials from the STEADI Initiative were utilized to create a fall prevention program titled, Preventing Falls in Older Adults: A SAFE (Seniors Against Falls Everyday) Approach, for the public health setting. This program, A SAFE Approach, was developed and implemented in three community-based organizations. Educational workshops were held for each location and included performing a personal fall safety assessment, interactive discussion on fall prevention behaviors, and provision of a home safety checklist. Seventy-one (N=71) participants attended the workshops and results revealed that the majority of participants were willing to modify current behaviors and understood the benefits of behavior modification. The lack of research for primary fall prevention indicates the need for more research and program implementation in the public health setting.