Review of NCOA Evidence Based Fall Prevention Strategies for the Home Health Setting

Abstract

<h3>Objective(s)</h3> To evaluate the effectiveness of National Council on Aging (NCOA) evidence based fall prevention programs that can be completed in the home setting. <h3>Data Sources</h3> We conducted searches of PEDRo, CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus using combinations of the following search terms: fall prevention, community, intervention, exercise, physical therapy, evidence based, home. <h3>Study Selection</h3> Criteria were chosen to capture all studies that included NCOA fall prevention programs that can be implemented in the home setting. Inclusion criteria identified studies from peer-reviewed journals including NCOA fall prevention programs with elements allowing for individualized training and implementation. Studies with only community based, group provision were excluded. <h3>Data Extraction</h3> For articles included in this review, the following information was extracted: type of study, methodological quality review, level of evidence, number of subjects, outcome measures used, interventions, primary positive and negative results, and setting. <h3>Data Synthesis</h3> Four NCOA evidence based fall prevention programs were identified as appropriate to be provided in the home setting: CAPABLE, FallScape, FallsTalk and the Otago Exercise Program. Data extracted from included articles demonstrated improvements with falls efficacy, reduction in the number of falls, and increased recognition of fall risk. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Falls are a concern for older adults with expensive medical care and a loss of independence for the individual. With our analysis, 4 NCOA programs can be reasonably provided in the home setting. Only one program (CAPABLE) is specifically designed to be implemented in the home setting. While there is strong evidence of the effectiveness of these programs, more work is recommended to determine the best practices for provision of home programs. This work is relevant with the COVID-19 pandemic limiting community interventions. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors declare no conflicts of interest.