AGMR

Background: Tinetti demonstrated that falls among community-dwelling older adults can be prevented through a stepwise, individualized approach. However, in Canada, many current fall prevention clinics implement universal rather than customized interventions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of this original clinic approach on fall risk. Methods: This was a pre-post single-group longitudinal study. At baseline, professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, and geriatricians, conducted discipline-specific assessments. The team identified specific fall risk factors and proposed personalized, evidence-based interventions. A nurse conducted a structured follow-up to collect data on falls and the patient’s condition over six months, and a physiotherapist performed a final mobility assessment. Results: Fifty-nine older patients referred to the Fall Prevention Clinic completed the study. The fall rate at six months dropped to 36% from 91% in the previous year (p < 0.001), suggesting two-thirds stopped falling. The most common risk factor was deconditioning (46%). No significant differences in risk factors or interventions were found between participants who fell and those who did not after the intervention, except referrals to community occupational therapy, which were more common among those who fell (p = 0.038). The key intervention, Exercise, was prescribed to 85% of the participants. Mobility assessments revealed no significant changes, except for an improvement in lower limb strength (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Fall prevention requires precise identification of risk factors and prompt initiation of targeted interventions. Our model of an interprofessional Fall Prevention Clinic offers a comprehensive approach to identify key modifiable risks and reduce fall incidence in high-risk populations.

elderly; fall; faller; fall prevention clinic; interdisciplinary intervention