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Preventing disability and falls in older adults: a population-based randomized trial
E H Wagner1, A Z LaCroix, L Grothaus
1Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle, WA 98101.
American Journal of Public Health
|November 1, 1994
Summary
A multicomponent intervention program significantly reduced disability and falls in older adults after one year. However, these positive effects on health outcomes diminished by the second year.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Preventing disability and falls in older adults is a critical national health priority.
- Ambulatory seniors are a vulnerable population susceptible to functional decline and falls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention program in preventing disability and falls among older adults.
- To compare a targeted nurse-led intervention with general health promotion and usual care.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 1559 ambulatory health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollees aged 65 and older.
- Participants were randomized into three groups: targeted nurse intervention, general health promotion, and usual care.
- Data were collected through baseline and two annual follow-up surveys.
Main Results:
- The targeted nurse intervention group showed a significantly lower incidence of declining functional status and falls after one year compared to the usual care group.
- The general health promotion group exhibited intermediate outcomes.
- The observed health benefits narrowed by the second year of follow-up.
Conclusions:
- A one-time, multicomponent prevention program demonstrated short-term health benefits for ambulatory seniors.
- The intervention's effectiveness in reducing disability and falls diminished by the second year.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these short-term benefits.