What can we learn from a US guide to community fall prevention for older people?
The US CDC has published a guide for community organisations planning, implementing and evaluating fall-prevention programmes for older people. This article outlines its approach and identifies ideas that communities and families in China can consider.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: Community Prevention | Older Adult Fall Prevention | CDC · Original language: en
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Facts from the sources
The CDC guide is intended for community organisations implementing their own evidence-based fall-prevention programmes. View source
The guide provides guidance on programme planning, development, implementation and evaluation. View source
The guide offers examples, resources and tips to help organisations build effective fall-prevention programmes. View source
The guide describes resources needed to implement and sustain fall-prevention programmes. View source
This edition revises the 2008 publication Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults. View source
The guide aims to improve organisations’ ability to reach older people in the community and to implement and sustain effective fall-prevention programmes. View source
For older people and families
Falls among older people are not a minor concern, and many occur at home.
Wet floors, poor lighting and cluttered passageways can make it harder to stay steady.
Check the places the older person regularly walks, put clutter away and keep floors dry.
Grab rails can be installed in the bathroom or beside the bed, but professionals must carry out the installation.
If the older person is unsteady, walk slowly alongside them without rushing them.
If they have recently fallen or are afraid to walk, consider a hospital assessment of fall risk.
If community fall-prevention activities are available, help the older person participate.
Do not prevent activity simply through fear of falls. Appropriate leg-strength exercises can be beneficial.
See what care and community teams can do
The CDC guide addresses community organisations implementing evidence-based fall-prevention programmes. Organisations in China can consider its planning, implementation and evaluation framework.
The guide offers examples, resources and tips for programme design, but the source webpage does not describe detailed procedures. Implementation must reflect local conditions.
The guide notes that implementing and sustaining programmes requires resources. Review staffing, funding and premises before making a plan.
This guide revises a publication from 2008, but the specific revisions are not described. Pay attention to edition updates when citing it.
The aim is to improve organisations’ ability to reach older people and deliver programmes. This is an intended outcome, with no verification data provided here.
Communities in China could begin with a small pilot to assess older people’s needs and participation.
Programme content should include environmental adaptations, exercise interventions, medication management and health education, designed by a professional team.
Consult building or age-friendly adaptation specialists about slip-resistant floors, rail load capacities, dimensions and other construction matters, and verify the applicable standards.
What needs local assessment
The CDC guide primarily addresses US community organisations and is not current Chinese policy or standards. Communities and families in China may draw on its prevention principles, but specific programme design, environmental adaptations and medical advice must reflect local circumstances and professional guidance. Programme-level outcome statistics do not establish individual risk; each older person needs professional assessment. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The original materials are freely available on the CDC website. This site and its suggestions for China are not endorsed by the CDC, HHS or the US government. Their images and logos have not been reproduced.
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Was this article helpful?
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