Inclusive Decision Making for Falls Prevention: A Discussion Tool for Use With People With Dementia and Their Caregivers

Abstract

Provision of choice and participation in falls prevention strategies is challenging for people with dementia. This study outlines development of a discussion tool to aid engagement of people with dementia and their caregivers in falls prevention strategies. The tool is based on a literature review of falls prevention and dementia care (1990–2016) and decision aid principles and was trialed over 6 months. A total of 25 community-dwelling people with dementia (Mage = 80 years, SD = 7.7, 52% male) and their caregivers (Mage = 73 years, SD = 12.3, 36% male) underwent falls risk assessment and evaluation of their preparedness to change falls risk behaviors. Most commonly rated, and prioritized for intervention, high falls risk factors were impaired balance/mobility (92%), polypharmacy (60%), and incontinence (56%). This discussion tool facilitated collaboration between people with dementia, their caregivers, and health professionals, to increase uptake of acceptable and feasible evidence-based falls prevention strategies.