Implementing Falls Prevention in Primary Care: Barriers and Facilitators.

Purpose: Limited information is available concerning primary care providers' encountered barriers and facilitators when implementing falls prevention and providing interventions in a real-life setting. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators when i) implementing a falls risk assessment strategy at GP practices and among community nurses and ii) providing evidence-based falls prevention interventions in a real-life setting to independently living, frail older people.

Methods: A researcher's journal was maintained during the implementation of a falls risk assessment strategy, which entailed notes from informal conversations with GPs, practice nurses and community nurses.

Fear-of-falling and associated risk factors in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a 1 year prospective study.

Background: Falls, associated injuries and fear-of-falling are common in adults with RA. Fear-of-falling can be a major consequence of, and as debilitating as falling, resulting in a cycle of activity restriction, reduced quality of life, institutionalisation and potentially increase risk of falls. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between fear-of-falling and risk factors associated with fear-of-falling in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over a 1 year period.

Recruitment and retention of older adults in Assisted Living Facilities to a clinical trial using technology for falls prevention: A qualitative case study of barriers and facilitators.

Older adults often have health complexities and higher levels of attrition. Even though they are the main users of healthcare, they are often not included in health research because the health research may not be well designed to accommodate their evolving health needs. One research area in which participation of older adults is essential focuses on improving physical function.

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strength and balance Exergames to reduce falls risk for people aged 55 years and older in UK assisted living facilities: a multi-centre, cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal unintentional injuries in older people. The use of Exergames (active, gamified video-based exercises) is a possible innovative, community-based approach. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a tailored OTAGO/FaME-based strength and balance Exergame programme for improving balance, maintaining function and reducing falls risk in older people.

A prospective cohort study measuring cost-benefit analysis of the Otago Exercise Programme in community dwelling adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Falls are one of the major health problems in adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Interventions, such as the Otago Exercise Programme (OEP), can reduce falls in community dwelling adults by up to 35%. The cost-benefits of such a programme in adults with RA have not been studied.

Motivational Determinants of Exergame Participation for Older People in Assisted Living Facilities: Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Exergames (exercise-based videogames) for delivering strength and balance exercise for older people are growing in popularity with the emergence of new Kinect-based technologies; however, little is known about the factors affecting their uptake and usage by older people.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may influence the motivation of older people to use exergames to improve their physical function and reduce fall risk.

Methods: Mixed methods were employed in which 14 semistructured interviews were conducted with older people (n=12, aged 59-91 years) from 2 assisted living facilities in the North West of the United Kingdom.

Recommendations for assessing and preventing falls in adults of all ages with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease that affects younger as well as older adults. It is associated with a high risk of injurious falls due to problems such as lower-limb muscle weakness, balance impairment, swollen and tender joints, pain, and fatigue. Falls are typically associated with older people; hence, many professionals do not recognise the risks for younger persons with diseases such as RA.

Risk factors for falls in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the association between potential risk factors and falls in community-dwelling adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We followed patients for 1 year of followup in a prospective cohort study with monthly falls calendars and telephone calls. Lower extremity muscle strength, postural stability, number of swollen and tender joints, functional status, history of falling, fear of falling, pain, fatigue, medication, and use of steroids were assessed as risk factors for falls.

Fall incidence and outcomes of falls in a prospective study of adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine the incidence of falls and to investigate the consequences of falls in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A total of 559 community-dwelling adults with RA, ages 18-88 years (mean age 62 years, 69% women), participated in this prospective cohort study. After a detailed clinical assessment, patients were followed for 1 year, using monthly falls calendars and followup telephone calls.