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A participatory mixed-methods evaluation of a falls awareness programme

Megan Elliott (PRIME Centre Wales and the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, UK)
Hannah Watson (Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Tonypandy, UK)
Amy Lewis (Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Tonypandy, UK and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Abercynon, UK)
Carolyn Wallace (PRIME Centre Wales and the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, UK)

Working with Older People

ISSN: 1366-3666

Article publication date: 5 December 2020

Issue publication date: 22 January 2021

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Abstract

Purpose

Falls are common in older adults and are associated with injuries and serious ongoing problems. This paper aims to present a participatory evaluation of a Falls Awareness Programme implemented in South Wales for older adults living in sheltered housing schemes or in the community. It identifies methodological issues and provides recommendations for evaluation design and methods for community-based interventions in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods study combining a non-experimental pretest–posttest design with face-to-face focus groups.

Findings

Concerns about falling and self-reported general health at baseline were worse for participants living in sheltered housing schemes, compared to participants in the community. There was no statistically significant change between baseline and follow-up in general health or concerns about falling; however, the data suggesting the programme may be more effective for people in sheltered housing schemes. Participants reported making small, but sustainable behaviour changes following the programme and described unexpected outcomes from the programme, e.g. socialising and meeting new people.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the benefit of engaging older adults in research using a participatory approach, highlights key components of community-based interventions for older people and identifies some methodological issues when conducting evaluations in the community. Specifically, it highlights the importance of selecting appropriate measurement tools for data collection and the utility of continuous monitoring where programme participation is flexible and fluid.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

Citation

Elliott, M., Watson, H., Lewis, A. and Wallace, C. (2021), "A participatory mixed-methods evaluation of a falls awareness programme", Working with Older People, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-09-2020-0046

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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