Step By Step: Thoughtful Fall Prevention

Step-by-Step: Thoughtful Fall Prevention is a fall prevention program that has been implemented in Hartford Senior Centers. The program is based on the Yale Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Trials, which was an evidence-based fall prevention study. The intervention uses protocols from the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention, a collaboration of hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation facilities, home care agencies and primary care providers serving greater Hartford. Because evidence suggests that modifying known risk factors can reduce the risk of falling, this project follows the design of the original research by using a fall risk assessment followed by specific interventions to change behavior and ultimately reduce the number of falls an individual experiences. The intervention includes fall risk assessment at local senior centers, followed by practical, teachable interventions for each fall risk factor identified. A "passbook" is provided for the older adults, with easy-to-read tips on how to address and reduce each risk factor. In addition, there are demonstrations on how to perform balance exercises.

The goal of this program is to embed a sustainable evidence-based fall prevention program within greater Hartford senior centers by enhancing fall prevention-related knowledge and behavior, while also building or enhancing relationships between senior centers and relevant community and health care organizations.

In the original study on which this intervention is based, the intervention group subjects fell 35% of the time, while control group subjects fell 47% of the time. This intervention aims to bring these results to over 10,000 seniors in Connecticut senior centers.