Abstract
This study surveyed awareness of, and adherence to, six national fall prevention recommendations among community-dwelling older adults (n = 1050) in Ottawa. Although 76 per cent of respondents agreed falling is a concern and preventable, fewer perceived susceptibility to falling (63%). Respondents had high awareness that home modifications and physical activity can prevent falls. Reported modifications included grab bars (50%), night lights (44%), and raised toilet seats (19%). Half met aerobic activity recommendations; 38 per cent met strength recommendations. Respondents had lower awareness that an annual medication review, annual eye and physical examination, and daily vitamin D supplementation could reduce fall risk. However, reported annual medication review (79%) and eye examination (75%) was high. Nearly half met recommendations for vitamin D intake. These findings suggest a gap in knowledge of awareness and adherence to national recommendations, highlighting the ones that may require attention from those who work to prevent falls.
Highlights
This study surveyed awareness of, and adherence to, six national fall prevention recommendations among communitydwelling older adults (n = 1050) in Ottawa
Several questions were replicated from established surveys, including the Canadian Community Health Survey on Healthy Aging (CCHS-HA) (Statistics Canada, 2008) annual medical examination, the review of medications and vision testing questions, and the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) (n.d.) fall prevention home hazards questions
To assess the frequency of vitamin D and calcium supplementation and calcium-rich food intake, we modified questions from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-HA to measure the frequency of vitamin D and calcium vitamin and supplement intake over the past 30 days
Summary
This study surveyed awareness of, and adherence to, six national fall prevention recommendations among communitydwelling older adults (n = 1050) in Ottawa. Respondents had high awareness that home modifications and physical activity can prevent falls. Respondents had lower awareness that an annual medication review, annual eye and physical examination, and daily vitamin D supplementation could reduce fall risk. Half met recommendations for vitamin D intake These findings suggest a gap in knowledge of awareness and adherence to national recommendations, highlighting the ones that may require attention from those who work to prevent falls. Les répondants étaient moins sensibilisés à l’importance de la vérification annuelle des médicaments, de l’examen médical et de l’examen de la vue annuels et de la prise quotidienne de suppléments de vitamine D pour la réduction des risques de chute. Falls among older adults, aged 65 years and older, accounted for $3.4 billion (direct and indirect costs) nationally in 2010, accounting for 39 per cent of the total cost of falls in Canada (Parachute, 2015)
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