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Perceptions of falls and falls prevention interventions among Personal Alert Victoria clients
Author(s) -
Ayton Darshini,
Morello Renata,
Natora Aleksandra,
Yallop Sarah,
Barker Anna,
Soh SzeEe
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.12626
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , thematic analysis , fall prevention , focus group , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , perception , nursing , occupational safety and health , descriptive statistics , psychology , injury prevention , qualitative research , applied psychology , environmental health , business , social science , pathology , marketing , neuroscience , sociology , statistics , mathematics
This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of falls among Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) clients and identifies barriers and enablers to engagement in falls prevention interventions. Data were collected via semistructured telephone interviews ( n = 12) and a client survey with open‐ended and closed‐ended questions ( n = 46). Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was guided by the COM‐B model (capability, opportunity, and motivation) for behaviour change. The interview and survey explored experiences of falls, falls risk factors, access and participation in falls prevention interventions, access to health and support services, and experiences using the PAV service. Capability barriers identified included poor health, lack of time, low health literacy, and perceived high intensity of exercise classes. Opportunity barriers were lack of transport, high cost, and long waiting times for falls prevention interventions. Motivation barriers were the belief that falls are inevitable and a perceived lack of relevance of falls prevention interventions. Enablers identified were a focus on broader health and well‐being benefits (capability), hospitalisations or rehabilitation that incorporates falls prevention in recovery (opportunity), and raising awareness of falls risk (motivation). Findings suggest that further research is required to inform the tailoring of positive health messages to improve the uptake of falls prevention interventions by PAV clients.