Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Associated With Function-Focused Care

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe falls and injuries within assisted living (AL) communities and determine whether a function-focused care (FFC) intervention increased the risk of falls and/or injuries. This was a secondary data analysis using data from a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial in which four AL communities were matched based on ownership and randomly assigned to treatment (FFC-AL) or attention control (FFC—education only). Demographic information and information on comorbidities, falls, and consequences postfall, ability to ambulate 50 yards, gait and balance, cognition, person–environment fit, and medication use were collected. Logistic regression was used to test the hypotheses. Exposure to FFC-AL did not result in an increased likelihood of falling (Wald = 0.01, p = .96) or sustaining an injury ( B = 0.42, Wald = 0.88, p = .35). The study findings supported prior research findings supporting the safety of interventions that optimize function and encourage physical activity among older adults.