7.1.3 What do community dwelling Caucasian and South Asian 60-70 year olds think about exercise for fall prevention? An ethnographic study (332)

Maria Horne, Health Visiting Lectuer/Research Fellow, School of Nursing Midwifery and Socail Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom Co authors: Shaun Speed, Dawn Skelton & Chris Todd

Abstract:

Introduction:

Fall prevention remains a key public health priority. Strategies to help prevent falls often include taking regular exercise (Gillespie et al. 2004). However, 40% of over 50s in the UK report less physical activity than is considered necessary to maintain good health (Skelton et al. 1999). Sedentary behaviour is more common among South Asian’s (Gill et al. 2002).

Aim:

To identify salient beliefs that drive or hinder the uptake and adherence of exercise for fall prevention in community dwelling 60-70 year old Caucasian and South Asians.

Method:

An ethnographic approach – participant observation, 15 focus group discussions (n = 87; mean age = 65.74 yrs) and 40 semi-structured interviews (mean age = 64.83 yrs), using purposeful sampling, were used to elicit salient beliefs about taking and maintaining exercise for falls and fall prevention. Framework analysis was used for data analysis and classification.

Findings:

Those who had experienced a fall, held more positive beliefs about the potential for exercise in preventing falls
Falling perceived as general bodily weakness, therefore, exercising purely to prevent a fall was considered superfluous to other general health issues
South Asians believed that the act of praying was a good form of exercise Motivation
Higher if had a previous fall Barriers
Not motivated to exercise purely to help prevent falls

Discussion:

Falls prevention takes a low priority in older people’s lives. Sixty-70 year olds do not recognise their risk of falls. Those who had experienced a fall were more likely to report being motivated to perform exercise for this reason.

Conclusion:

Falls prevention should not be the focus of marketing strategies. The peripheral benefits of exercise and leading active healthy lifestyles should be promoted. Targeting older adults who have fallen is likely to be more successful than population based approaches.

Biography:

Maria is a Health Visiting Lecturer/Research Fellow at the University of Manchester School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. She has taught health promotion, primary care, community health and public health for Health Visitor, Diploma and BA Nursing students for the past eight years. Maria also contributes to the postgraduate on-line core research methods course (Master in Research programme) at the University of Manchester. Maria has recently completed her PhD Studies, which looked at 60-70 year old Caucasian and South Asians beliefs and attitudes about exercise and physical activity and exercise in relation to fall prevention. Maria's research interests include older adults’ health promotion, fall prevention, positive ageing and user involvement. Maria is also a scholar of the European Academy of Nursing Science.