Assessment of Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries Algorithm.

AIM

To identify individuals at risk of falls and the factors contributing to their risk, we screened community-dwelling older adults using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) Assessments.

DESIGN

A descriptive correlational study design.

METHODS

Fall risk screenings with community-dwelling older adults aged 65 or older were conducted during a virtual interprofessional education event (IPE) for fall risk screening. The screening included demographic questions, perception of fall risks, medication questions and physical assessments (Timed Up and Go test, Single Leg test, 30-Second Sit to Stand) using the STEADI algorithm. Screening data were collected via Qualtrics, and descriptive data analyses were performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

In total, 114 community volunteers aged 65 or older were screened for fall risk. Using the STEADI Fall Risk questionnaire, 84 participants (73.7%) exhibited at least one clinically proven risk factor for falls, with 39 (34.2%) having four or more risk factors. The physical assessments identified 37 participants (32.5%) with functional leg weakness, 47 (41.2%) had poor mobility and 32 (28.1%) had poor balance. As a result, the modified STEADI algorithm identified 68 (59.6%) with fall risk and the most frequently discussed SMART objectives were related to physical assessment data issues (34.5%).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Our study confirmed the effectiveness of a multifaceted STEADI assessment in identifying community individuals at risk for falls who may not be detected through the normal standard of care. Educating nurses on performing comprehensive fall risk assessments and creating corresponding action plans with SMART objectives is essential to ensure thorough screening and care of their patients. A collaborative, interprofessional education programme can help train health professional students to gain valuable skills in conducting comprehensive fall risk screenings and developing objectives for future care plans based on those findings.