Preventing Falls Among Elderly in the Community

Abstract

Background: Falls among community-dwelling elderly are a significant public health concern, impacting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Prevention strategies are needed.Objectives: This systematic literature review aims to provide a better understanding of falls prevention strategies applied to reduce fall rates among community-dwelling older adults.This study, through its findings, seeks to enhance the knowledge of nurses on the characteristics and effectiveness of these prevention strategies in reducing falls among community living elderly. .Research Methodology: A qualitative systematic review was conducted. A systematic search of CINAHL and PubMed databases identified 20 qualitative studies published between 2017 and 2024 focusing on fall prevention in community settings. Studies that adopted qualitative methodologies and focused on community-dwelling elderly above 65 were included.Results: The review identified various fall prevention strategies, including exercise programs, environmental modifications, medication management, and educational interventions. Adherence was influenced by perceived benefits, program personalization, social support, and self-efficacy. Barriers included lack of awareness and negative perceptions of aging. Conclusion: This review provides valuable insights into the experiences and preferences of community-dwelling elderly regarding fall prevention. This review highlights the importance of multi-faceted, person-centered fall prevention strategies tailored to individual needs. However, the predominantly qualitative nature of the included studies limits conclusions about intervention effectiveness. Future research should use mixed-methods approaches to evaluate intervention effectiveness and generalizability