Citation

Smith JL, Lewin G. Australas. J. Ageing 2008; 27(1): 38-42.

Affiliation

Silver Chain Nursing Association, Western Australia, Australia. jmsmith@silverchain.org.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Australian Council on the Ageing, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1741-6612.2007.00270.x

PMID

18713214

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether home care clients have accessed or been influenced by fall prevention programs. METHODS: Mail survey of 4743 home care clients from several home care agencies. RESULTS: Among the clients, 47.2% completed the survey and 46% had fallen within the last year. Faller and non-fallers differed in attitude to falls and fall risk factors. Only 15% of fallers and 7% of non-fallers had taken part in a fall prevention program and only 8% knew how to access information about such activities. CONCLUSIONS: Fall prevention strategies should be targeted at the home care population. Such programs should take into consideration the specific needs of this group.

Language: en