Purpose. Procedure. Introduce yourself (each group member) and explain the purpose of the interview.

Transcription

1 15 15 Causes Older Adult Interview About and Prevention of Falls Purpose To explore the cause of falls during adulthood and older adulthood and determine what steps can be taken to reduce the incidence of falling. Procedure Divide into groups of three or four members so that each group will have one older adult with whom to meet. As a group, interview the participant to discuss several aspects of falling, using the following guidelines. Record responses on Worksheet Introduce yourself (each group member) and explain the purpose of the interview. Explain that the participant will not be identified by name during or after the collection of information for the project. Determine if the individual has fallen during the past year, the number of times, and the outcome of the fall for them physically and emotionally. Determine if the subject has had any health issues they would like to discuss that may be related to their falling. Be sure to indicate that responses to these kinds of personal questions are completely optional and their answers anonymous. Ask them if they have taken any steps to avoid falling in terms of their lifestyle or in terms of the arrangement of their living space. Record those results with explanations as appropriate. If they do not offer the information, inquire about specific aspects of their lifestyle and living space as indicated on Worksheet Close the interview by thanking the participant for their time and willingness to share their experiences. 1

2 Lab Older Adult Interview About Causes and Prevention of Falls Participant Age Gender Description of subject: 1. Have you fallen within the last 12 months? Yes No Number of times: 2. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not serious and 5 being extremely serious, how would you rate the severity of the falls: 3. Do you have any health issues that could be related to balance and falling (optional if person is reluctant to discuss their health): Dizziness Illness Fainting Joint health Vision Gait/mobility issues 2

3 continued 4. What steps have you taken to avoid possible falls: Changes to Behavior: Physical therapy Physical activity Balance enhancing activities Avoiding rushing Wearing proper clothing/shoes Changes to Living Space: Using non-skid rugs and being sure they lie flat on the floor Having clutter free traffic lanes at home Installing hand rails where appropriate Arranging furniture to allow easy navigation through and around Providing sufficient lighting throughout living space Eliminating cracked sidewalks, uneven stairs, etc. Installing nonskid materials in the bathtub or shower 3

4 continued 5. How confident are you on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being no confidence and 10 being extremely confident that the steps you have taken will decrease your likelihood of falling? 6. Are there any other barriers or obstacles that would prevent you from making the kinds of changes necessary to decrease your likelihood of falling? 4

5 Discussion 1. What specific recommendations would you make to the participant to help him/her reduce the potential for falling? 2. Why do you think the participant was confident/unconfident about preventing falls in the future? 3. What steps do the members of your group want to take for themselves to avoid falling as they continue their way through adulthood? 4. Why is it so important to reduce the incidence of falls during adulthood and, specifically, in older adulthood? 5