Health Education Research Advance Access originally published online on February 8, 2006
Health Education Research 2006 21(4):508-517; doi:10.1093/her/cyh077
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Older people's views of advice about falls prevention: a qualitative study
1 School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
2 School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
3 School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
*Correspondence to: L. Yardley. E-mail: l.yardley{at}soton.ac.uk
The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of older people's perceptions of falls prevention advice, and how best to design communications that will encourage older people to take action to prevent falls. Focus groups and interviews were carried out with 66 people aged 6194 years recruited from a variety of settings, using falls prevention messages to stimulate discussion. Thematic analysis revealed that participants interpreted falls prevention principally as meaning hazard reduction, use of aids and restriction of activity. Only one participant was aware that falls risk could be reduced by carrying out exercises to improve strength and balance. Falls prevention advice was typically regarded as useful in principle but not personally relevant or appropriate. Advice about falling was often depicted as common sense, only necessary for older or more disabled individuals, and potentially patronizing and distressing. Our findings suggest that older people do not reject falls prevention advice because of ignorance of their risk of falling, but because they see it as a potential threat to their identity and autonomy. Messages that focus on the positive benefits of improving balance may be more acceptable and effective than advice on falls prevention.
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
K. Hughes, E. van Beurden, E. G. Eakin, L. M. Barnett, E. Patterson, J. Backhouse, S. Jones, D. Hauser, J. R. Beard, and B. Newman Older Persons' Perception of Risk of Falling: Implications for Fall-Prevention Campaigns Am J Public Health, February 1, 2008; 98(2): 351 - 357. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. H. Laybourne, S. Biggs, and F. C. Martin Falls exercise interventions and reduced falls rate: Always in the patient's interest? Age Ageing, January 1, 2008; 37(1): 10 - 13. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L Yardley, N Beyer, K Hauer, K McKee, C Ballinger, and C Todd Recommendations for promoting the engagement of older people in activities to prevent falls Qual. Saf. Health Care, June 1, 2007; 16(3): 230 - 234. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Yardley and S. R. Nyman Internet provision of tailored advice on falls prevention activities for older people: a randomized controlled evaluation Health Promot. Int., June 1, 2007; 22(2): 122 - 128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Yardley, M. Donovan-Hall, K. Francis, and C. Todd Attitudes and Beliefs That Predict Older People's Intention to Undertake Strength and Balance Training J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2007; 62(2): P119 - P125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Yardley, F. L. Bishop, N. Beyer, K. Hauer, G. I. J. M. Kempen, C. Piot-Ziegler, C. J. Todd, T. Cuttelod, M. Horne, K. Lanta, et al. Older People's Views of Falls-Prevention Interventions in Six European Countries. Gerontologist, October 1, 2006; 46(5): 650 - 660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||





