Falls (Accidents) in Old Age
Conditions
Keywords
prevention
Brief summary
This randomized-control trial involves dyads consisting of a family caregiver (CG) and a person with memory loss or dementia (PwD). The FallsTalk Caregiver Resource System (FT-C) intervention is administered by the CG, whose role is to modify their interactions with the PwD. FT-C will create a 3-way partnership between an Interventionist and the dyad, capitalizing on CG-PwD interactions. The PwD will be observed by the CG and both will be evaluated by the study team. Brief daily FT-C intervention by the CG will stimulate the PwD's awareness and individualized weekly CG- check-ins with the Interventionist will increase the CG's skills. Our hypothesis is that FT-C will increase PwD's awareness of personal fall threats and encourage new falls prevention behaviors, resulting in reduced fall rates.
Detailed description
This is a single-site preliminary trial enrolling dyads in Western Washington state only.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFallsTalk-C
The FT-C experimental intervention involves two face-to-face visits including Initial and Follow-up Interviews, CG training, daily interaction with the PwD using a computer with FT-C software, weekly check-in calls, weekly postcard completion and monthly check-in calls for at least six months and up to one year.
BEHAVIORALFallsTalk
The FallsTalk intervention involves two face-to-face visits including Initial and Follow-up Interviews,CG training, daily interaction with the PwD, weekly check-in calls, weekly postcard completion and monthly check-in calls for at least six months and up to one year.
Sponsors
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Alzheimer's Association
Brookside Research & Development Company
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Caregiver (CG) Inclusion Criteria: * residence in western Washington state * minimum age= 18 * family CG * primary CG * some daily personal contact with Person with Dementia (PwD) for 1 month * basic computer skills and telephone access * able to commit to 6 month study. Persons with Dementia (PwD) Inclusion Criteria: * living at home with residence in western Washington state * minimum age= 55 * at least one fall in last 6 months or regular loss of balance * can ambulate at least 6 feet * ability to communicate thoughts * willingness to participate. CG
Exclusion criteria
* Professional CG (unless primary CG for family member) * distance CG unable to be physically present with PwD daily for 1 month * terminal illness with less than 6 months to live * CG has significant memory loss. PwD
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rate of falls | weekly for up to one year | number of falls per month |
| Change of Residence | weekly for up to one year | Report of change of primary residence |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Threat Awareness | Pre-test- 5 clips at Initial interview; Post-test- 5 clips at Follow-up interview one month later | Ability to identify potential fall risks in 10 standardized novel multimedia clips administered in random order |
| Activity-Specific Balance Confidence scale | Pre-test at Initial interview; Post-test at Follow-up interview one month later | The Activity-Specific Balance Confidence scale is a standardized 16 item scale that measures an individual's self-efficacy about preventing a fall or loss of balance. The maximum score is 1600. Each item is scored from 0-100 with 0 indicating no confidence and 100 meaning complete confidence. |
| Caregiver Falls Prevention Concerns | Survey administered at study entry and Follow-up visit. | Specific concerns identified by Caregiver with respect to preventing falls in the person they care for. |
| Burden Scale for Family Caregivers | BSFC is administered at Initial interview and Follow-up interview one month later. | The Burden Scale for Family Caregivers is a standardized 28 item scale that assesses subjective burden of the CG. The items are scored as strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree and the maximum score is 84. A score of 0 indicates no burden and a score of 84 indicates a very severe burden with a high risk of psychosomatic symptoms. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactBrookside R&D
Outcome results
None listed