Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
09:19
Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults
Published on: December 9, 2014
Fall-prevention pilot: hazard survey and responses to recommendations
David Greene1, Pat Sample, Christine Fruhauf
1Department of Occupational Therapy, The Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Occupational Therapy in Health Care
|August 13, 2013
Summary
This study inventoried fall hazards for seniors, finding that home modifications often missed the actual causes of falls. Multifaceted hazard evaluation is recommended for effective fall prevention in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Falls are a significant public health concern for community-dwelling elders.
- Existing fall prevention strategies often focus on individual hazards, with limited success.
- Understanding older adults' responses to fall prevention is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a partial inventory of fall hazards for community-dwelling elders.
- To characterize older adult responses to a fall prevention initiative.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of identified hazards and recommendations in preventing future falls.
Main Methods:
- A fall-prevention initiative involving 35 community-dwelling seniors.
- Identification and operationalization of 15 external fall hazards.
- Documentation of home modifications made in response to recommendations.
Main Results:
- 15 external hazards were identified.
- 18 of 22 homes implemented 1-4 changes, aligning with recommendations.
- Most implemented recommendations did not address the primary causes of subsequent participant falls.
Conclusions:
- Designating specific risks for individual hazards may be less effective than anticipated.
- Multifaceted evaluations considering hazard combinations and interactions are encouraged.
- Raising caution and awareness is vital for comprehensive fall prevention in older adults.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Survey Safety
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
01:11Hazard Rate
The hazard rate, also known as the hazard function or failure rate, is a statistical measure used to describe the instantaneous rate at which an event occurs, given that the event has not yet happened. From a probabilistic perspective, it represents the likelihood that a subject will experience the event in a very small time interval, conditional on surviving up to the beginning of that interval. In terms of frequency, the hazard rate can be viewed as the ratio of the number of events to the...
01:12Hazard Ratio
The hazard ratio (HR) is a widely used measure in clinical trials to compare the risk of events, such as death or disease recurrence, between two groups over time. It reflects the ratio of hazard rates—the instantaneous risk of the event occurring—between a treatment group and a control group. This measure provides valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of a treatment by assessing how the risk of an event differs between the two groups.
For example, in a clinical trial evaluating a...
For example, in a clinical trial evaluating a...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
01:21Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
An Incident or Occurrence Report in a healthcare setting is a crucial document used to record any unexpected occurrence that may or may not have affected a patient, employee, or visitor. Such reports are critical to improving patient safety and include all details leading up to and including the event.
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...