Factors associated with fall risk increasing drug use in older black and white men and women: the Health ABC Study.

BACKGROUND: Most older adults use medications that may increase falls, often defined as fall risk increasing drugs or "FRIDs". Two definitions for FRIDs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI-Rx) and Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (SNBHW) definitions, are widely accepted, though include different FRIDs in their definitions. Whether factors associated with FRID use in older adults differ by definition is unknown. METHODS: We hypothesized that factors for FRID use will vary by FRID definition in 1,352 community-dwelling older Black and White adults with medication information in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (Health ABC; 2007-08 clinic visit; 83.4 ± 2.8 years; 54.1% women; 65.1% White). Multivariable logistic regression and multivariable negative binomial regression, progressively entering groups of covariates (demographics, lifestyle/behavior factors, and multimorbidity), modeled FRID use (yes/no) and count. RESULTS: Of 87.0% participants using SNBHW FRIDs, 82.9% used cardiac medications, with lower use of all other FRIDs (range:1.1-12.4%). Of 86.6% participants using STEADI-Rx FRIDs, 80.5% used cardiac medications, with lower use of all other FRIDs (range:1.1-16.1%). Participants with FRID use by either definition were more likely to have chronic health conditions, a hospitalization in the prior year, higher non-FRIDs medication counts, higher Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) scores, and less physical activity (all p < 0.05). Participants with STEADI-Rx FRID use had poorer vision and higher Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) scores. In multivariable logistic regression for SNBHW use, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), 3MS scores, and non-FRID count were positively associated with FRID use and poorer vision and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) scores were negatively associated. In addition to SNBHW factors, higher CES-D scores were associated with STEADI-Rx FRID use. In multivariable negative binomial regression, hypertension, higher BMI, CES-D scores, and non-FRID count were associated with higher FRID count and sleep problems with lower FRID count for both definitions. Higher 3MS and lower DSST scores were associated with higher STEADI-Rx FRID count. Women had lower SNBHW FRID count after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for FRID use in older adults differ slightly by STEADI-Rx and SNBHW FRIDs definition, but are largely similar.

A Multidimensional Approach for Nurse Practitioners to Screen Fall Risk and Fear of Falling in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Nurse practitioners are essential in the care of the older adult population. Older adults are at high risk for falls; therefore, nursing assessment should include psychological and physiological measures. Fear of falling is a primary psychological contributor to fall risk. The Falls Efficacy Scale International short; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries fall risk scale; and Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) balance test are reliable, efficient tools for assessment. Data obtained from these multifactoral tools may inform mobility interventions and education for the patient, further meeting a national safety goal of reducing falls in the older adult population.

Predictive validity of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) program fall risk screening algorithms among community-dwelling Thai elderly.

BACKGROUND: Fall risk screening using multiple methods was strongly advised as the initial step for preventing fall. Currently, there is only one such tool which was proposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use in its Stopping Elderly Accidents, Death & Injuries (STEADI) program. Its predictive validity outside the US context, however, has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive validity (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the two-step sequential fall-risk screening algorithm of the STEADI program for Thai elderly in the community. METHODS: A 1-year prospective cohort study was conducted during October 2018-December 2019. Study population consisted of 480 individuals aged 65 years or older living in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The fall risk screening algorithm composed of two serial steps. Step 1 is a screening by the clinician's 3 key questions or the Thai Stay Independent brochure (Thai-SIB) 12 questions. Step 2 is a screening by 3 physical fitness testing tools including Time Up and Go test (TUG), 30-s Chair Stand, and 4-stage balance test. Participants were then followed for their fall incidents. Statistical analyses were conducted by using Cox proportional hazard model. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and other relevant predictive validity indices were then estimated. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 73.3 ± 6.51 years (range 65-95 years), and 52.5% of them were female. The screening based on the clinician's 3 key questions in Step 1 had a high AUC (0.845), with the sensitivity and specificity of 93.9% (95% CI 88.8, 92.7) and 75.0% (95% CI 70.0, 79.6), respectively. Appropriate risk categorization however differed slightly from the original STEADI program. CONCLUSIONS: With some modification, the fall risk screening algorithm based on the STEADI program was applicable in Thai context.

Factors associated with screening positive for high falls risk in fragility fracture patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to report the prevalence of fragility fracture patients who were screened at high falls risk using a large provincial database, and to determine the characteristics associated with being screened at high falls risk. METHODS: The study population included fragility fracture patients 50+ years of age who were screened at 35 hospital fracture clinics in Ontario over a 3.5 year period. The outcome was based on two screening questions measuring the risk of falling, both adapted from the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) tool. Multivariable associations of sociodemographic, fracture-related, and health-related characteristics were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the sample, 9735 (44.5%) patients were classified as being at high falls risk, and 12,089 (55.3%) were not. In the multivariable logistic regression, being 80+ years of age (vs. 50-64 years of age), non-community dwelling (vs. living with spouse, family member, roommate), having a mental/physical impairment (vs. none), and taking multiple medications, were all strongly associated with being screened at high falls risk. CONCLUSIONS: Living in a non-community dwelling and taking 4+ medications were the variables most strongly associated with being screened at high falls risk. These are potentially modifiable characteristics that should be considered when assessing falls risk in fragility fracture patients, and particularly when designing interventions for preventing subsequent falls. Ongoing work to address the higher risk of falls in the fragility fracture population is warranted.

An interprofessional education approach to fall prevention: preparing members of the interprofessional healthcare team to implement STEADI into practice.

An aging population benefits from healthcare providers trained in the care of older adults. Interprofessional education (IPE) and service-learning activities focused on geriatric conditions like falls may address this need. A fall prevention IPE activity using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) initiative was implemented to prepare health sciences students to manage older adult falls. Students (N = 31) and faculty (N = 10) from five health sciences programs and local older adults (N = 27) participated. Students were trained in STEADI and conducted a fall risk screening, assessment, and intervention activity with older adults using STEADI tools. We observed a statistically significant improvement in student knowledge of fall prevention and STEADI as assessed by pre and postactivity measures. Student surveys indicated improved understanding of the roles and responsibilities of participating disciplines, related to management of falls in older adults. The CDC's STEADI initiative may provide an effective framework and resources for fall prevention IPE activities and geriatric health sciences education.

Mitigating fall risk: A community fall reduction program.

One fourth of all American's over 65 years of age fall each year. Falls are a common and often devastating event that can pose a serious health risk for older adults. Healthcare providers are often unable to spend the time required to assist older adults with fall risk issues. Without a team approach to fall prevention the system remains focused on fragmented levels of health promotion and risk prevention. The specific aim of this project was to engage older adults from the community in a fall risk assessment program, using the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) program, and provide feedback on individual participants' risks that participants could share with their primary care physician. Older adults who attended the risk screening were taking medications that are known to increase falls. They mentioned that their health care providers do not screen for falls and appreciated a community based screening.

Overestimation of Balance Ability Among Older Adults at Risk for Falls.

Objective: This study examined alignment of subjective balance confidence with Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) fall risk. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 155 community-dwelling adults (60 + y/o) from 2016 to 2018 who completed a STEADI fall assessment. Descriptive statistics, Chi-Square analysis, and biserial point correlations were applied. Results: Adults who overestimate balance confidence, 55.6% (n = 50) reported a fall in the past year, 62.2% (n = 56) were worried about falling, 48.9% (n = 44) felt unsteady when standing/walking, and 70.0% (n = 63) had a score of ≥4 on the Stay Independent Questionnaire (SIQ). Physical performance for these adults were mean TUG score 10.9s (SD = 3.4), mean 30 second chair stands 10.8 (SD = 3.5), and mean 4-stage balance score 3.1 (SD = .76). Discussion: Older adults are more likely to overestimate their subjective balance confidence. Individuals are equally likely to have reported a fall in the past year if they were "at fall risk," regardless of their subjective balance confidence.

Reframing Fall Prevention and Risk Management as a Chronic Condition Through the Lens of the Expanded Chronic Care Model: Will Integrating Clinical Care and Public Health Improve Outcomes?

Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults aged 65 years and older (older adults) and are increasingly recognized as a chronic condition. Yet, fall-related care is infrequently provided in a chronic care context despite fall-related death rates increasing by 41% between 2012 and 2021. One of the many challenges to addressing falls is the absence of fall-focused chronic disease management programs, which improve outcomes of other chronic conditions, like diabetes. Policies, information systems, and clinical-community connections help form the backbone of chronic disease management programs, yet these elements are often missing in fall prevention. Reframing fall prevention through the Expanded Chronic Care Model (ECCM) guided by implementation science to simultaneously support the uptake of evidence-based practices could help improve the care of older adults at risk for falling. The ECCM includes seven components: (1) self-management/develop personal skills, (2) decision support, (3) delivery system design/re-orient health services, (4) information systems, (5) build healthy public policy, (6) create supportive environments, and (7) strengthen community action. Applying the ECCM to falls-related care by integrating health care delivery system changes, community resources, and public policies to support patient-centered engagement for self-management offers the potential to prevent falls more effectively among older adults.

Older Adult and Healthcare Provider Beliefs About Fall Prevention Strategies.

Introduction: Older adults reported about 36 million falls in 2018. Although effective strategies are available to address risk factors and minimize fall risk, little is known about older adults' and healthcare providers' awareness of these strategies. This study describes and compares healthcare providers' and older adults' beliefs about fall prevention and strategies. Methods: Demographic and fall-related data for older adults were obtained from the 2019 fall cohort of Porter Novelli ConsumerStyles. Similar data from primary care practitioners, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were gathered from the 2019 cohort of DocStyles. Results: Most providers (91.3%) and older adults (85.1%) believed falls can be prevented. Both providers and older adults were most likely to consider strength and balance exercises (90.7% and 82.8%, respectively) and making homes safer (90.5% and 79.9%, respectively) as strategies that help prevent falls. More providers reported that managing medications (84.2%) and tai chi (45.7%) can prevent falls compared to older adults (24.0% and 21.7%, respectively; P < .0001). Conclusion: More healthcare providers than older adults indicated evidence-based strategies exist to reduce falls. Increased patient and provider communication can increase awareness about the benefits of evidence-based strategies such as tai chi, strength and balance exercises, and medication management.

Using tele-paramedicine to conduct in-home fall risk reduction after emergency department discharge: Preliminary data.

BACKGROUND: Older adults discharged from our emergency department (ED) do not receive comprehensive fall risk evaluations. We conducted a quality improvement project using an existing Community Tele-Paramedicine (CTP) program to perform in-home fall risk assessment and mitigation after ED discharge. METHODS: High falls-risk patients, as defined by STEADI score >4, were referred for a CTP home visit by community paramedics supervised virtually by emergency physicians. Home hazards assessment, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), medication reconciliation, and psychosocial evaluation were used to develop fall risk mitigation plans. Outcomes assessed at 30 days post ED-discharge included: completed CTP visits, falls, ED revisits, hospital admissions, and referrals. RESULTS: Between November 2022 and June 2023, 104 (65%) patients were discharged and referred to CTP. The mean age of enrolled patients was 80 years, 66% were female, 63% White, 79% on Medicare or Medicaid, most lived with a family member (50%) or alone (38%). Sixty-one (59%) patients received an initial CTP visit, 48 (79%) a follow-up visit, and 12 (11%) declined a visit. Abnormal TUG tests (74%), home hazards (67%), high-risk medications (36%), or need for outpatient follow-up (49%) or additional home services (41%) were frequently identified. At 30 days, only one of the CTP patients reported a fall, one patient had a fall-related ED visit, and one patient was admitted secondary to a fall. CONCLUSIONS: A quality improvement initiative using CTP to perform fall risk reduction after ED discharge identified areas of risk mitigation in the home where most falls take place. Further controlled studies are needed to assess the impact of CTP on clinical outcomes important to patients and health systems.

Demographic Comparisons of Self-Reported Fall Risk Factors Among Older Adults Attending Outpatient Rehabilitation.

Purpose: Identify the prevalence and prevalence differences of fall risk factors by sex, clinic rurality, and race/ethnicity among older adults (≥65 years old) receiving outpatient rehabilitation. Patients and Methods: Our secondary analysis used Electronic Health Record data of 108,751 older adults attending outpatient rehabilitation (2018-2022) within a large health system across 7 states and completed the Stay Independent Questionnaire. The mean age was 73.3 (±6.36), 58.1% were female, 84.3% were non-Hispanic White, and 88.8% attended an urban clinic. Fall risks were identified via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Stay Independent Questionnaire. Results: Older adults had a high prevalence of fall risks (44.3%), including history of falls (34.9%). The most prevalent fall-risk factors were impaired strength, gait, and balance. Compared to males, females had a higher prevalence of reporting a fall (4.3%), a fall with injury (9.9%), worrying about falling 9.1%), rushing to the toilet (8.5%), trouble stepping onto a curb (8.4%), taking medicine for sleep or mood (6.0%), feeling sad or depressed (5.3%), and feeling unsteady (4.6%). Males reported a higher prevalence of losing feeling in feet (9.4%), ≥1 fall in the past year (8.1%), and using hands to stand up (4.4%). Compared to White older adults, Native American/Alaska Natives had the highest prevalence of fall history (43.8%), Hispanics had the highest prevalence of falls with injury (56.1%), and Hispanics and Blacks had a higher prevalence of reporting 11/12 Stay Independent Questionnaire risk factors. Conclusion: Older adults receiving outpatient rehabilitation have a high prevalence of fall risks, including falls and difficulties with strength, balance, or gait. Findings indicate that rehabilitation providers should perform screenings for these impairments, including incontinence and medication among females, loss of feeling in the feet among males, and all Stay Independent Questionnaire -related fall risk factors among Native American/Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and Blacks.

Association between self-reported falling risk and risk of hospitalization for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE: The association between self-report falling risk in persons with COPD and hospitalization has not been previously explored. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether self-reported risk is associated with hospitalizations in patients with COPD. METHODS: A secondary analysis from a prospective observational cohort study of veterans with COPD. Participants completed questions from the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) tool kit at either baseline or at the end of the 12-month study. A prospective or cross-sectional analysis examined the association between responses to the STEADI questions and risk of all-cause or COPD hospitalizations. RESULTS: Participants (N = 388) had a mean age of 69.6 ± 7.5 years, predominately male (96 %), and 144 (37.1 %) reported having fallen in the last year. More than half reported feeling unsteady with walking (52.6 %) or needing to use their arms to stand up from a chair (61.1 %). A third were concerned about falling (33.3 %). Three questions were associated with all-cause (not COPD) hospitalization in both unadjusted and adjusted cross-sectional analysis (N = 213): "fallen in the past year" (IRR 1.77, 95 % CI 1.10 to 2.86); "unsteady when walking" (IRR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.14 to 3.10); "advised to use a cane or walker" (IRR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.16 to 3.08). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported falling risk was high in this sample of veterans with COPD. The association between falling risk and all-cause hospitalization suggests that non-COPD hospitalizations can negatively impact intrinsic risk factors for falling. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of all-cause hospitalization on falling risk in persons with COPD.

Preventing Falls Among Older Adults in Primary Care: A Mixed Methods Process Evaluation Using the RE-AIM Framework.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Falls are a leading cause of injuries and injury deaths for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Stopping Elderly Accidents Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) initiative, a multifactorial approach to fall prevention, was adapted for implementation within the primary care setting of a health system in upstate New York. The purpose of this article is to: (a) report process evaluation results for this implementation using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and (b) examine the utility of RE-AIM for assessing barriers and facilitators. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This evaluation used mixed methods. Qualitative evaluation involved semistructured interviews with key stakeholders and intercept interviews with health care providers and clinic staff. Quantitative methods utilized surveys with clinic staff. Process evaluation tools were developed based on the AIM dimensions of the RE-AIM framework. The study was conducted over a 2-month period, approximately 18 months postimplementation, and complements previously published results of the program's reach and effectiveness. RESULTS: Primary barriers by RE-AIM construct included competing organizational priorities (Adoption), competing patient care demands (Implementation), and staff turnover (Maintenance). Primary facilitators included having a physician champion (Adoption), preparing and training staff (Implementation), and communicating about STEADI and recognizing accomplishments (Maintenance). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Results revealed a high degree of concordance between qualitative and quantitative analyses. The framework supported assessments of various stakeholders, multiple organizational levels, and the sequence of practice change activities. Mixed methods yielded rich data to inform future implementations of STEADI-based fall prevention.

The Predictive Validity and Clinical Application of Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) for Fall Risk Screening.

Fall prevention is critical for older adults. Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) is a fall prevention initiative, promoted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of this review aims to discuss the predictive validity, improve the predictive validity of STEADI, and apply STEADI in clinical settings.

Feet/Footwear-Related Fall Risk Screening Tool for Older Adults: Development and Content Validation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Screening for feet- and footwear-related influences on fall risk is an important component of multifactorial fall risk screenings, yet few evidence-based tools are available for this purpose. We developed the Screening Tool for Feet/Footwear-Related Influences on Fall Risk to support interprofessional health care providers in their efforts to screen for feet/footwear-related influences on fall risk among community-dwelling older adults identified at risk for falling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of two phases. During Phase 1, results of a systematic review of lower-limb factors associated with balance and falls informed tool development. The tool's initial draft was evaluated by an external group of nine interprofessional content experts. After incorporating changes recommended by Phase 1 participants, Phase 2 was initiated. During Phase 2, eight new interprofessional experts (19.3 average years of experience) completed the three rounds of a modified Delphi study. RESULTS: Phase 1 experts recommended modifying eight items and rated the tool's clarity, appeal and clinical feasibility as 81.2/100, 79.1/100, and 76.1/100, respectively. Phase 2 participants suggested combining items with similar recommended actions, adding a question about orthoses, and increasing the specificity of nine items. The refinements resulted in a 20-item screening tool. Each item was approved by the Phase 2 participants with > 80% agreement after two rounds of consensus voting, reflecting the tool's high face and content validity. CONCLUSION: The new screening tool has high face and content validity and supports identification of feet- and footwear-related influences on fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. The tool can be used by interprofessional healthcare providers completing a multifactorial fall risk screening on community-dwelling adults identified as being at risk for falling.

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB): A Quick and Useful Tool for Fall Risk Stratification Among Older Primary Care Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate fall risk with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and examine its application within the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) tool advocated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 417 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years at risk for mobility decline, recruited from 9 primary care practices. METHODS: The SPPB, a 3-part performance-based test (gait time, chair stand, and balance), was assessed at baseline. Previously established cutpoints were used to categorize participant scores into 3 groups: low, middle, and best performers. Self-reported falls were assessed in-person at baseline and via phone interviews quarterly for 4 years. Multivariable negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate the relationship of the SPPB and each of its 3 components with fall rates over 1 and 4 years of follow-up. Additional analysis were stratified by fall risk screen status (+/-) based on self-reported fall history and balance self-efficacy using an adapted STEADI model. RESULTS: Participants had median age 76 years (interquartile range 70-82) and were 67.2% female with mean baseline SPPB 8.7 ± 2.3. Poor performance on the SPPB and on each of its 3 components independently predicted higher fall risk in the first year. After 4 years, the low total baseline SPPB [rate ratio (RR) 1.53, confidence interval (CI) 1.09-2.17] and gait time performances (RR 1.61, CI 1.07-2.41) predicted higher fall risk. After stratifying the sample according to the STEADI model, we observed the highest 1-year fall risk among those with a (+) fall risk screen who also scored lowest on the SPPB. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The SPPB is a performance measure with clinical utility for fall risk stratification over 1 and 4 years of follow-up among older adults. It shows promise as a complement to the STEADI guidelines, but its full benefits should be confirmed within a larger study.

Evaluation of an Education Strategy versus Usual Care to Implement the STEADI Algorithm in Primary Care Clinics in an Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Although falls are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US in the older adult population, there is little information regarding implementation of evidence-based fall prevention guidelines within primary care settings. The objective of this study was to address this gap in the literature by determining the effectiveness of the use of education and written materials as implementation strategies. METHODS: Using a prospective, mixed methods, controlled before-and-after study design, we studied the effect of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) education and written materials on knowledge and intention to use in primary care clinics as well as test the screening, assessment, and intervention behaviors. This manuscript details the quantitative findings of the study, using STEADI Knowledge Test, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Reaction Questionnaire, and EMR Reports. We compared data between the study arms (usual implementation versus education implementation) using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and factorial ANOVAs. RESULTS: In total, data from 29 primary care staff, including physicians, APRNs, RNs, and medical assistants, were analyzed. Although we found a statistically significant difference within the education arm between immediate pretests and posttests/surveys mean scores, there was no statistically significant difference between the study arms' knowledge, intent to use STEADI, or use behaviors. The pre/immediate post education mean knowledge score increased by 1.19 (p= 0.02) and the pre/immediate post education intent to use mean increased by 0.64 (p 0.01). There was no statistically significant change between the study arms over time. CONCLUSION: Educational strategies, particularly written materials and an online module, did not increase the long-term use of the STEADI toolkit. Implementation research is needed to identify the strategies that are most effective for promoting the adoption of STEADI in primary care.

Aging without injury in the United States requires action today.

INTRODUCTION: In 2017, unintentional injuries were the seventh leading cause of death among older adults (age ≥ 65), resulting in over 55,000 deaths. Falls accounted for more than half of these deaths. Given that older adults are the fastest growing age group in the United States, we can anticipate that injuries will become an even greater health concern in the near future. METHODS: Aging without injury is possible. There are evidence-based strategies that can reduce falls. However, older adults may not realize that falls can be prevented or they may be afraid to admit their fear of falling or difficulty with walking as these issues may signal their inability to live independently. RESULTS: In this commentary, we will highlight what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is doing to prevent older adult falls. We also highlight the importance of broadening older adults' awareness about falls to successfully empower them to begin contemplating and preparing to adopt fall prevention strategies that can help them age in place. CONCLUSIONS: Older adult falls are common and can result in severe injury and death but they can be prevented. Broadening older adults' awareness about falls can empower them to take the actions necessary to reduce their fall risk. Practical applications: Increasing awareness about falls can help older adults, healthcare providers, and local and state health departments take steps to reduce fall risk.

How steady is the STEADI? Inferential analysis of the CDC fall risk toolkit.

INTRODUCTION: The CDC developed the STEADI toolkit to assist providers with incorporating fall risk screening, assessment of modifiable risk factors, and implementing evidence-based treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was two-fold: analyze the STEADI algorithm for strengths/weaknesses based upon inferential data and provide recommendations for additional research and possible limitations of the STEADI toolkit from a physical therapy perspective. METHODS: This investigation employed a quantitative, cross-sectional cohort design collating data from community-dwelling and retirement-facility seniors (n = 77) from two regions of the U.S. Data is reported based upon descriptive statistics, correlation, and validity of the STEADI algorithm, its subcomponent tests, and self-reported fall data. All participants completed the Stay Independent Brochure (SIB) and the algorithm's mobility, balance, and lower extremity strength tests regardless of risk categorization. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the STEADI with discriminating fallers and predicting future falls was better among community-dwellers (73-80%) versus the retirement facility-dwellers (56-62%). The STEADI demonstrated high false negative rates among those categorized as low risk as 57% community-dwellers and 24% facility-dwellers fell in the prior 12 months and several fell within 6 months following participation. Results suggest that it is important to conduct more than one mobility or balance screening test, and indicate that elevated STEADI risk classification was not associated with advancing age. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes from this study suggest that cut-off scores and the selection of functional fall screening tests, as well as the relative weights and scoring of items on the SIB/3KQ be reevaluated to maximize discriminate and predictive validity of the algorithm.

The Influence of Older Adults' Beliefs and Attitudes on Adopting Fall Prevention Behaviors.

Among Americans aged 65 years and older, falls are the leading cause of injury death and disability, and finding effective methods to prevent older adult falls has become a public health priority. While research has identified effective interventions delivered in community and clinical settings, persuading older adults to adopt these interventions has been challenging. Older adults often do not acknowledge or recognize their fall risk. Many see falls as an inevitable consequence of aging. Health care providers can play an important role by identifying older adults who are likely to fall and providing clinical interventions to help reduce fall risks. Many older people respect the information and advice they receive from their providers. Health care practitioners can encourage patients to adopt effective fall prevention strategies by helping them understand and acknowledge their fall risk while emphasizing the positive benefits of fall prevention such as remaining independent. To help clinicians integrate fall prevention into their practice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) initiative. It provides health care providers in primary care settings with resources to help them screen older adult patients, assess their fall risk, and provide effective interventions.