Date of Award

8-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Kristen Slabaugh

Abstract

Background: Falls among older adults are frequent, rendering significant costs to both the individual and the healthcare system, and are preventable. In 2021, fall-related deaths in adults over the age of 65 were calculated at a rate of 78.0 per 100,000 people, and nonfatal falls were reported at 28% of all older adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). In Pennsylvania, approximately 27.9% of older adults fell in 2020 (CDC, 2023). A multifactorial approach to reducing falls can be achieved through the implementation of fall risk screening tools and intervention bundles (Beato et al., 2019; Burland et al., 2013; Francis-Coad et al., 2018; Hewitt et al., 2017; McGibbon et al., 2019; Montero-Odasso et al., 2021; Moyer et al., 2017; Norman & Hirdes, 2020; Nunan et al., 2018; Sherington et al., 2017).

Problem: Assisted living facilities do not have the tools to decrease the incidence of falls. Falls and fall-related hospital transfers can be decreased by implementing fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions.

Methods: The use of fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions to reduce falls were supported by a thorough review of the literature. This project applied a convenience sample of residents from an assisted living facility and applied the plan, do, study, act (PDSA) translation model.

Intervention: Participants voluntarily engaged in an 8-week exercise intervention focusing on strength, balance, and ambulation training.

Results: Results of the project revealed a reduction in the risk of falls through descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon ranked-sign test of pre- and post-project implementation data analysis.

Conclusion: Implementation of fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions reduces the fall risk gait, balance, and total fall risk scores.

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