Older Adults’ Perceptions and Recommendations Regarding a Falls Prevention Self-Management Plan Template Based on the Health Belief Model: A Mixed-Methods Study

Jennifer L. Vincenzo, Susan K. Patton, Leanne L. Lefler, Pearl A. McElfish, Jeanne Wei and Geoffrey M. Curran
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Jennifer L. Vincenzo: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Susan K. Patton: Department of Nursing, College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Leanne L. Lefler: College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Pearl A. McElfish: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Jeanne Wei: Department of Geriatrics, Reynolds Institute on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Geoffrey M. Curran: Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. Self-management plans have been used in different contexts to promote healthy behaviors, but older adults’ perceptions of a falls prevention self-management plan template have not been investigated. Using mixed methods, we investigated older adults’ perceptions and recommendations of a falls prevention self-management plan template aligned with the Health Belief Model. Four focus groups ( n = 27, average age 78 years) were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. Participants also ranked the written plan on paper with respect to each item by the level of importance, where item 1 was the most important, and 10 was the least important. Focus groups were transcribed and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were calculated for item rankings. Older adults felt that the plan would raise awareness and help them to engage in falls prevention behaviors. Participants recommended adding graphics and using red to highlight the risk of falling. Participants opined that ranking the items by level of importance was challenging because they felt all items were important. ‘What might happen to me if I fall’ was ranked as the most important item (average 2.6), while ‘How will I monitor progress’ was the least important (average = 6.6). Considering that older adults need support to engage in falls prevention, future research should investigate the impact of implementing an individually tailored falls prevention self-management plan on older adults’ engagement in falls prevention behaviors and outcomes of falls and injuries.

Keywords: adherence; patient-centered design; behavioral change; health belief model; patient engagement; shared decision-making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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