Delivery of Fall Prevention Interventions for At-Risk Older Adults in Rural Areas: Findings from a National Dissemination

Matthew Lee Smith, Samuel D. Towne, Angelica Herrera-Venson, Kathleen Cameron, Scott A. Horel, Marcia G. Ory, Chelsea L. Gilchrist, Ellen C. Schneider, Casey DiCocco and Shannon Skowronski
Additional contact information
Matthew Lee Smith: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Samuel D. Towne: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Angelica Herrera-Venson: National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Kathleen Cameron: National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Scott A. Horel: School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Marcia G. Ory: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Chelsea L. Gilchrist: National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Ellen C. Schneider: National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Casey DiCocco: Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201, USA
Shannon Skowronski: Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Falls incidence rates and associated injuries are projected to increase among rural-dwelling older adults, which highlights the need for effective interventions to prevent falls and manage fall-related risks. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the geospatial dissemination of eight evidence-based fall prevention programs (e.g., A Matter of Balance, Stepping On, Tai Chi, Otago Exercise Program) across the United States (U.S.) in terms of participants enrolled, workshops delivered, and geospatial reach. These dissemination characteristics were compared across three rurality designations (i.e., metro areas; non-metro areas adjacent to metro areas; and, non-metro areas not adjacent to metro areas). Data were analyzed from a national repository of 39 Administration for Community Living (ACL) grantees from 2014–2017 (spanning 22 states). Descriptive statistics were used to assess program reach, delivery-site type, and completion rate by rurality. Geographic information systems (GIS) geospatially represented the collective reach of the eight interventions. Of the 45,812 participants who attended a fall prevention program, 12.7% attended workshops in non-metro adjacent areas and 6.6% attended workshops in non-metro non-adjacent areas. Of the 3755 workshops delivered (in over 550 unique counties), most were delivered in senior centers (26%), residential facilities (20%), healthcare organizations (13%), and faith-based organizations (9%). On average, the workshop attendance/retention rates were consistent across rurality (~70%). Findings highlight the need to diversify the delivery infrastructure for fall prevention programs to adequately serve older adults in rural areas. Ongoing efforts are needed to offer sustainable technical assistance and to develop scalable clinical-community referral systems to increase fall prevention program participation among rural-dwelling older adults.

Keywords: rural; fall prevention; evidence-based program; dissemination; geospatial research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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