Authors

  1. O'Rourke, Beth OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
  2. Upchurch, Rebecca OTDS
  3. Bain, Jennifer OTDS
  4. Tirey, Lauren OTD, OTR/L
  5. Vrchota, Steven OTD, OTR/L
  6. Watson, Katie OTD, OTR/L

Abstract

Preventing falls among community-dwelling older adults continues to be a concern for health care providers, and the development of an interprofessional screening tool is one initiative to address falls reduction. In this study, the Falls Efficacy Scale assessed subjects' self-reported confidence and the Physical Performance Test assessed performance on functional tasks. Both assessments were analyzed for strengths and weaknesses to develop a community screening tool for health care providers. The results of this study suggest that further exploration of self-reported fear of falling, dizziness, walking ability, and urinary urgency are key areas for the creation of an interdisciplinary fall risk screening tool.