Preventing Falls Among Older Fallers to Test the Effect of LIVE-LiFE, a Home-Based, Tailored Fall Prevention Program

SAFE-LiFE to Prevent Falls Among Older Fallers

Purpose: To test the effect of LIVE-LiFE, a home-based, tailored fall prevention program for older adults with a high risk for falling.

Study Type: Single-blind, two group randomized pilot trial. Randomization is 2:1 (27 intervention, 13 control). Participants have a chance of being in the LIVE-LiFE group or the control group.

Safe-LiFE Group: Individually tailored intervention at the participant's home spaced across 12 weeks including:

• Home safety assessment and risk reduction strategies; incorporating strength and balance training into daily habits vision screening and referral; and education about fear of falling and falls
• Home repairs, modifications, and low cost assistive devices to address unsafe home environments increasing fall risk
• Medication review and feedback concerning medications with increased fall risk

Control Group:

• An individualized fall risk assessment provided to participant and their primary care provider

Sample: 40 community-dwelling older adults in Baltimore City or County

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults ≥ 70 or older
• Self-report of 2 or more falls in the past 12 months OR 1 fall causing injury in the past 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Moderate-severe memory problems
• No conversational English
• Not able to stand
• Resident in a nursing home or assisted living facility
• Hospitalized > 3 times in the last year
• Terminally ill (<1 year expected survival)
• Receiving active cancer treatment