Author: Darek Jansen

Otago-based Falls Prevention Exercise Program

Join Dr. Tiffany Shubert, Physical Therapist and expert in aging, health, and wellness in video one of this multi-part falls prevention exercise program.

Safe Fall Recovery

Hello, and welcome to a video aimed at teaching you safe steps to get up after a fall. You may already know that one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each year. This rate increases as a person ages. Additionally, lying on the floor for an extended time after a fall may result in complications. Therefore, having a plan in place should a fall occur is the first step to safe fall recovery.

Perceptions of Rehabilitation Managers on Implementation of the Home-Based Older Person Upstreaming Prevention (HOP-UP) Program: A Retrospective Qualitative Analysis

Naccarato A, Wilson C M, Arena S K. Perceptions of Rehabilitation Managers on Implementation of the Home-Based Older Person Upstreaming Prevention (HOP-UP) Program: A Retrospective Qualitative Analysis. Cureus 13(4): e14760. doi: 10.7759/cureus.14760 Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify themes and concepts derived from responses of physical therapy clinical leaders related to implementing a Read More

Safe homes decrease falls

Reducing falls and fall risk is best accomplished when it addresses multiple risk factors. The home environment is one critical area to consider as there are often overlooked hazards that are easy to fix. Older adults and their families should consider using The Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults. Healthcare providers may find the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) a useful tool to guide in home assessments and recommendations.

HOP-UP-PT Receives Research Award at Physical Therapy Conference

Two research studies about HOP-UP-PT were featured at the Michigan state conference for physical therapists and was recognized with a state-level research award. This provides further evidence of the effectiveness of the HOP-UP approach for empowering older adults’ freedom and independence.

HOP-UP-PT reduces falling 8-fold

HOP-UP-PT is excited to share an open access publication which provides strong evidence for the programs impact on reducing falls and fall risk. Notably, the study identified that those with the highest fall risk when beginning the HOP-UP-PT program had an 8-fold decrease in falls compared to older adults who continued with normal activity. The randomized controlled clinical trial was funded by a 2018 Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging Award ($201,058).

Testimonial: Sue C

It is very important to me to stay safe and active in my home because I want to stay in my home, take care of myself, take care of other people, and do my volunteer projects.

Setting up the Garmin Vivofit 4

Many adults over 65 years report they do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Activity trackers promote self-efficacy and physical activity in an older adult. Therefore, activity trackers can be useful to monitor activity and safely guide increasing exercise amounts. The HOP-UP-PT base independence program supports the use of wearable activity trackers for all program participants. While the program does not endorse one specific product, recent study iterations have had success with the Garmin Vivofit4.

What older adults think of HOP-UP-PT Program

The purpose of this study was to describe self-reported outcomes and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults who participated in HOP-UP-PT. A telephone survey was offered 1-3 months after program completion to HOP-UP-PT participants. No falls were reported by 15 respondents and 3 reported 1 to 2 falls without injury. Seventeen participants reported no hospitalizations, one reported only overnight emergency room observation, and no participants reported requiring physical therapy. Participants reported benefits of activity trackers (18/18), fall-prevention exercises (17/18), and electronic blood pressure monitor use (13/18). Despite reported benefits, participants indicated an inability/unwillingness to privately pay for the program with fixed incomes identified as the rationale for this response. The findings of this study suggest efficacy of HOP-UP-PT may translate to participant satisfaction and positive health and behavior changes after participation.