Development of a fall prevention program for elderly Japanese people

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Falls are a major risk for elderly individuals in long-term care facilities, leading to significant injuries.
• Existing fall prevention strategies may not adequately address individual patient risks or staff capabilities.
• Enhancing staff skills and motivation is crucial for effective fall prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an individualized fall prevention program for elderly patients in a long-term care setting.
• To improve caregiving skills and motivation among healthcare staff members.
• To reduce fall-related injuries and enhance staff empowerment.

Main Methods:

• Evidence-based practice and action research were synthesized to develop the program.
• A quasi-experimental design involved an intervention ward (31 patients) and a control ward (20 patients).
• Generalized Self-efficacy Scale and Social Support Scale assessed staff skills and motivation.

Main Results:

• Fall-related injuries decreased from 41.9% to 9.7% in the intervention group.
• Staff members reported increased emotional support and self-efficacy.
• Empowerment was identified as a key factor in the program's success.

Conclusions:

• The developed fall prevention program is effective in reducing injuries among elderly residents.
• The program enhances staff members' skills, motivation, and sense of empowerment.
• The intervention is acceptable and feasible for implementation in long-term care facilities.