Aging & Gerontology

Abstract

Background: Falls prevention programs are recommended CDC programs that are proven to reduce falls in older adults. However, there are gaps in the provision of falls prevention services across the continuum of care. To fill this gap, a deeper understanding among stakeholders across Arizona involved in fall prevention efforts is essential to achieving the policy goals of making Arizona a fall-free state.

Objectives: Identify and assess involvement, perception, and barriers to stakeholders in the public and private sectors to establish the Arizona Falls Prevention Integrative Network (AFPIN) for collaboration on fall prevention.
Methods: The capacity assessment tool is a qualitative semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews elicit individual perceptions and involvement with fall prevention efforts. Focus group discussions bring stakeholders together to discuss the collaborative capacity and goals. The tool was informed by the Collaborative Governance Regime framework.

Results: The results reveal high interest in a collaborative system for fall prevention. Barriers include the need for funding, high turnover rates in current collaborative leadership, a lack of shared data among providers to identify patients at risk, and a need for increased Spanish language prevention education tools.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first time this methodology has been used to assess the capacity of stakeholders in fall prevention in the United States. The assessment of stakeholders in fall prevention should continue to be used for more stakeholders in the state in order to assess if the barriers of funding, turnover, and lack of shared data apply throughout the state.

Biography

TBA