Fall Risk Identification and Management for Older Veterans

Summary

Falls are a common occurrence among older adults, and Veterans have an even higher risk of falling compared to non-Veterans. These falls often lead to severe health consequences, including traumatic brain injuries, hip fractures, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and even death. It is crucial to prioritize fall prevention in order to reduce injuries and enable older Veterans to age comfortably at home. Although current fall prevention programs in the Veterans Health Administration primarily focus on inpatient care and nursing homes, there is a pressing need to address falls among older Veterans living independently in the community. The proposed VA-specific Fall Risk Identification and Management (FRIM) model aims to proactively prevent falls in older Veterans who receive primary care, effectively reducing the occurrence of adverse health events associated with falls. By placing emphasis on prevention rather than reacting after falls have already happened, this initiative seeks to significantly enhance the overall well-being of older Veterans.

Conditions

• Fall Risk

Interventions

OTHER

Strengthening (Physical Therapy, Gerofit)

Individuals with physical fall risk will be referred to strengthening interventions available within the VHA. These may include Physical Therapy or Gerofit (a supervised exercise program).

OTHER

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Clinical Psychology, Occupational Therapy)

Individuals with psychological fall risk will be referred psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on guided talking. This can be performed by VHA occupational therapists and clinical psychologists.

OTHER

Medication Reconciliation (Clinical Pharmacology)

Individuals with pharmacological fall risk will be referred to clinical pharmacology for medication reconciliation. This includes examining the current medication list and deprescribing medications, if appropriate.

OTHER

Home Safety Modification (Occupational Therapy)

Individuals with environmental fall risk will be referred to occupational therapy for home safety assessments and modifications. This will involve modifying components within the home to reduce potential fall risk factors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Alexander J Garbin, PhD DPT · Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-02-04

Primary Completion

2028-12-31

Completion

2029-09-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations