An Economic Evaluation of Preventing Falls Using a New Exercise Program in Institutionalized Elderly.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Economics

Background:

• Falls among the elderly constitute a significant public health issue.
• Economic analyses are crucial for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of fall prevention programs.
• The Move With Balance program has demonstrated a 65% reduction in falls among institutionalized elderly individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of the Move With Balance program.
• To assess the economic viability of the Move With Balance program in a real-world setting and through extrapolation.

Main Methods:

• Calculated the ROI for the Move With Balance program using data from a study of 27 participants.
• Extrapolated program data to an "intended" annual program scenario for 45 participants.
• Considered program costs, fall reduction efficacy, and cost per averted fall.

Main Results:

• The Move With Balance program yielded a 1.7:1 ROI over a 10-week period, averting 13 falls with an estimated cost saving of $18,720.
• Program effects on fall reduction persisted for at least 6 months.
• Extrapolated annual ROI reached 7.6:1, with total averted fall costs of $208,594 for an annual program serving 45 individuals.

Conclusions:

• The Move With Balance program is effective in reducing falls in institutionalized elderly individuals.
• The program demonstrates a positive return on investment, making it an economically sound fall prevention strategy.