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The key role of gerontologists in housing and falls research to show ‘what works’

Learn about the important work of gerontologists in housing and falls research, and the impact it has on improving the safety and well-being of older adults. Explore interventions, fear of falling, and design considerations for a safer living environment.

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The key role of gerontologists in housing and falls research to show ‘what works’

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  1. The key role of gerontologists in housing and falls research to show ‘what works’ By Sheila Peace Professor of Social Gerontology, The Open University President, British Society of Gerontology

  2. Background • Who are our gerontologists? • Multidisciplinary researchers • 751 REF Impact Case Studies – ageing research Split between panels of assessment (but 39% in Panel A (Health, medicine, biology, psychology); Panel C 25% (Social Sciences, architecture, built environment, planning, Education, Sports Sciences) • Research concerning housing and falls limited

  3. Keyword ‘Falls’ / ‘Falls Housing’ • 132 impact case studies containing the words ‘falls’ • Majority from UoA 3: Allied health professions, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy • 479 impact case studies may contain words ‘falls housing’, not necessarily related

  4. Example 1 : Falls prevention amongst older people: Development of effective interventions and improvement of uptake and adherence to services. (ICS-05) • University of Manchester • By 2012, 54% NHS Trusts used training programmes based on our research. It moulded service provision nationally and internationally, changing the emphasis of how falls prevention services are presented, from "reducing risk" to "improving/maintaining independence". • Falls Efficacy Scale- International (FES-I)

  5. Falls Efficacy Scale- International (FES-I) • Find out about Fear of falling, which activities most feared, target rehabn.,cange over time. • Includes range of ADLs : • Cleaning the house • Getting dressed/undressed • Preparing simple meals • Taking a bath or shower • Going to the shop • Getting in or out of a chair • Going up or down stairs • Walking around outside • Reaching up or bending down • Answering the telephone

  6. FES- 1 ( cont.) • Walking on a slippery surface • Visiting a friend/relative • Going to a place with crowds • Walking on an uneven surface • Walking up or down a slope • Going out to a social event

  7. Roger Haslam and colleagues, Loughborough University, Constantinos Maganaus and colleagues, Manchester Metropolitan University • Ergonomics, Civil Engineering • Design, usability, safety in the home • Focus on stairs – depth, breadth • see “falls on stairs rival road accidents as a leading cause of accidental injury” • Issues raised – general stair design, stair covering, handrails, environmental aspects of lighting, patterns of use, carrying items, leaving objects of stairs, rushing, footwear/clothing, pets, vision, design v behaviour.

  8. British Society of Gerontology, Annual Conference, Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, July 1-3rd 2015 • 5 papers related to falls • No papers concerning housing • International – Poland, Australia • Hospital based – in hospital fall prevention; models of practice for physiotherapists, preventive medicine • Impact of exercise on balance – use of Pilates positive.

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