The purpose of this paper is to summarize the project and present a design for future phases of the project. It incorporates all suggestions from the Task Order Monitor and the Technical Advisory Group. The full Literature Review was submitted to ASPE as a separate document. However, presented throughout this document, relevant information that was drawn from the literature to synthesize common falls risk factors as well as the validated tools that form the basis of our proposed assessment and intervention strategies. [34 PDF pages]
This literature review summarizes what is known about falls and fall prevention and identifies the components of effective strategies for reducing falls. Intertwined in the discussion are the results of interviews conducted with individuals representing nine fall prevention programs that have been identified as particularly successful. The goal was not to replicate research that has been already done, but instead to build on frameworks that have already been developed by experts in the field to inform the development of a "standardized and trackable" intervention. Also addressed are issues related to the effectiveness of interventions, that is, reducing the incidence of falls and associated acute and long-term care costs and the costs of implementing the intervention. [100 PDF pages]
