Development of a community-based fall prevention program: Stay In Balance

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Falls and related injuries pose significant risks to older adults.
• Multidimensional interventions targeting modifiable risk factors can reduce falls.
• A need exists for diverse, evidence-based fall prevention programs for community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation process of an evidence-based fall prevention program.
• To outline the steps, outcomes, and challenges encountered during program creation.
• To inform the creation of similar programs in community settings.

Main Methods:

• The Stay In Balance (SIB) program was developed collaboratively by professionals, service providers, and older adults.
• A multi-step approach included objective setting, content development, laboratory RCT, community pilot, community RCT, and site implementation.
• The program involved 135 older adults across various development and testing phases.

Main Results:

• Each development stage offered valuable insights for refining program content, materials, and outcome measures.
• Iterative feedback was crucial for adapting the program to community settings.
• Successful implementation required adjustments based on practical experience.

Conclusions:

• Developing evidence-based fall prevention programs demands sustained commitment from all stakeholders, including universities, service providers, and older adults.
• Adequate funding is essential for the successful development and long-term implementation of such programs.
• Collaborative partnerships are key to creating effective and sustainable fall prevention initiatives.