Development of a Prototype FallsTalk- Caregiver Resource System

Falls are a common and expensive problemespecially in persons with dementiaPwDAnnual fall rates in PwD can be as high asInjurious falls are a frequent reason people are unable to stay in their homessignificantly increasing the costs of care to the family and societyFallers usually do not understand the cause of their fall and often repeat the same behaviorthe single best predictor of fall risk is a previous fallOur research has demonstrated that falls preventionFPrequires behavior change and learning to recognize oneandapos s own personal fall risksMost FP efforts do not focus on changing the underlying behaviorFallsTalkis an evidence based FP interventionrecognized as meeting highest tier federal criteriaFalls are treated as an opportunity to understand fall threats and initiate behavior changeThis individualized approach significantly increases new FP behaviorsimproves recognition of fall threats and reduces fallsWe propose to use the caregiverCGPwD dyad as a building blockThe CG will be trained to conduct positive daily interactions and participate in weekly interviewsUsing guided CG supports provides a unique opportunity to empower both CG and PwDTo test this innovative approachwe will develop prototype resources to assist CGs and study personnel in working with PwD in their home and then evaluate the efficacy of this model and feasibility of the new approachOur hypothesis is that the FallsTalk Caregiver Resource SystemFT CGcan create a constructive post fall experienceresulting in the outcomes required to reduce fallsPhaseAims are to translate the current intervention for use with CGs bydeveloping a prototypeconducting a preliminary study andgathering falls dataThe prototype FT CG system will includeCG training software with embedded videosfor learning methodologyCG tools to conduct and record daily and weekly interactionsand Interventionist software to structure the behavioral intervention components for PwD and CGsDyads will be recruited fromsupport groups in two large counties with the assistance of the Washington chapter of the Alzheimerandapos s AssociationSixty dyads will be randomly assigned to study groupExperimental dyads will receive the FT CG interventionwhile Control dyads receive an outcomes measurement visit onlyOutcomes will include currently unavailable information about falls by PwD in homerather than long term caresettingsFeasibility will be determined by evaluating FT CG preliminary outcomes and comparing those with benchmark data from previous researchPhasewill create and test new FT CG resources whichmay eliminate the need for a third person to work with the CGwill incorporate components for professional CGadd Interventionist training software and evaluate potential self administration tools for persons with mild cognitive impairmentFT CG will offer an urgently needed FP intervention for PwDThe benefits of sustaining in home living for PwD by preventing falls will benefit all stakeholders for this largehigh risk population Falls are a common and expensive problemespecially in persons with dementiaPwDFallsTalkis an evidence based fall prevention intervention which will be translated to incorporate a caregiverCGand provide a unique opportunity to empower both CG and PwDDevelopment of the FallsTalk Caregiver Resource System will address a frequent reason people that PwD are unable to stay in their homesreducing family and public health costs