This is an evaluation of a fall prevention training program for the elderly in the community. The 65-and-above population in the U.S. has been constantly increasing and focus must be given on prevention of falls and the strategies to be instituted. Prevention can lead to economic consequences in the form of benefits and costs. The stakeholders are the elderly, and this includes the family members, nursing institutions, hospitals and health care providers, insurance providers, and the government (Hosseini & Hosseini, 2008).
Evaluation Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation is to analyze the feasibility of the community-based training program in terms of costs and benefits for the elderly and the aforementioned stakeholders and make appropriate recommendations to the concerned stakeholders.
Description
Americans have a longer life expectancy and a great portion of the population is considered elderly or seniors. This kind of population growth has some consequences and one of these is an increase in the number of falls or accidents. Falls cause injuries or death but they can be avoided. A survey states that one out of three seniors or elderly fall every year (Hosseini & Hosseini, 2008).
This paper therefore will evaluate the community-based training program for the prevention of falls of the elderly. The study will entail analysis and recommendation for future use of the elderly and caregivers and health providers who have the elderly under their care.
Context
Falls commonly occur in community settings. Studies report that the lack of proper nursing care has made the incidence of falls worsen. Some serious falls result in a hip fracture that can lead to death. Many results in serious injuries and hip dislocations that require hospitalization, while others lead to emotional and psychological effects on individuals (Ganz, Yano, Saliba, & Shekelle, 2009).
Educating nursing staff in private or public institutions can minimize falls. Education is one of the most effective techniques in reducing falls. Homes can effectively deal on environmental hazards. Community-based programs to reduce low-height falls are applicable to homes with elderly patients (Mosenthal et al. as cited in Hosseini & Hosseini, 2008). This paper will evaluate the training programs and recommend on which appropriate actions or activities should be taken to help the patients and the elderly.
Target Population
The target population includes the elderly or seniors who are residing in the community and in private or public-funded homes, the nursing staff of homes, and public and private institutions.
Resources/Inputs
Resources include educational or reading materials, technology, and staff to provide training for private and public institutions. Funding is also necessary.
Specific activities
The team will evaluate the training program used. How the training was conducted, the outcomes and the benefits will be evaluated. A training team will have to be trained by experienced health or care providers who have had knowledge in preventing falls incurred by the elderly. The training team will in turn train the staff in homes and caregiving institutions.
Risk factors should first be identified, for example weakness, shaky movements of patients, confusion and other psychological or medical problems. Detection of risk factors can mitigate possible falls.
Evaluation Level
- What level of evaluation is utilized?
A high level of evaluation is utilized because this involves safety and health of the elderly. High level means every part of the training is evaluated.
Outcomes
- What are the program’s intended outcomes (intended outcomes are short-term, intermediate, or long-term)?
Risk factors for falls are eliminated. Preventing falls will reduce the cost of hospitalization due to injury or hip dislocation. Both the staff of various facilities and the patients will be educated and trained on reducing the risk factors. Short term includes reduction of risk factors. Intermediate term outcomes include education of staff and long-term includes prevention of falls.
- What accrediting bodies might be interested in the evaluation findings?
Accrediting bodies are health agencies of the government and international standards organization (ISO).
Evaluation Design
Evaluation design will be case study, i.e. selection of a community-based center or home and the ongoing training of staff.
- Why was this design selected?
This design was selected because it gives focus on a specific training program and the institution implementing it.
Data Collection
- What methods will be used to collect or acquire the data?
Interview method will be used.
- Will a sample be used? If so, how will the sample be selected?
Yes, a sample will be selected. Specific home care units, private or government-funded, are identified and the staff therein will be asked to participate.
- How will data collection instruments be identified and tested?
A comparison with another group of participants will be conducted.
- How will the quality and utility of existing data be determined?
The data will be collected from two groups of participants. One group is the control group while the other group is the sample from a community-based center.
- From whom or from what will data be collected (source of data)?
The data will be collected from the staff of a community-based home for the elderly.
- How will the data be protected?
This will be stored in a database with a user name and password only this researcher has an access to.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data Analysis
- What method will be used to analyze the data (e.g., descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and content analysis)?
Descriptive method will be used. The descriptive method tends to dissect the problems and solutions of the evaluation.
Data Interpretation
- Who will be involved in drawing, interpreting, and justifying conclusions?
The training staff will conduct the drawing, interpreting and justifying conclusions.
Communication and Reporting
Data Usage
- What actions will be taken to promote evaluation use?
Evaluation will be promoted to the various stakeholders, particularly hospitals and homes for the elderly.
- How will evaluation findings be used?
The training staff will conduct brainstorming and use the evaluation in future training.
- Who is responsible for implementing evaluation recommendations?
The training staff and health researchers will implement the recommendations.
Communication
- Which evaluation stakeholders will you communicate with and why (e.g., update on status of evaluation, invite to meetings, share interim or final findings)?
The training staff will communicate with the home’s staff on the status of the evaluation. They will invite participants from homes for the elderly and other public and private institutions providing care for the elderly.
- What methods (e.g., in-person meetings, emails, written reports, and presentations) will be used to communicate with evaluation stakeholders?
The methods will include presentation and communication through emails and the Internet.
- Why are these methods appropriate for the specific evaluation stakeholder audience of interest?
Presentations and the use of emails and the Internet are appropriate because these involve direct and immediate response from the stakeholders.
References
Ganz, D., Yano, E., Saliba, D., & Shekelle, P. (2009). Design of a continuous quality improvement program to prevent falls among community-dwelling older adults ain an integrated healthcare system. BMC Health Services Research, 9(206), 1-11.
Hosseini, H. & Hosseini, N. (2008). Epidemiology and prevention of fall injuries among the elderly. Hospital Topics, 86(3), 15-20.