The Queensland Stay On Your Feet® Community Good Practice Model for falls prevention in older people uses a community-based approach considering three levels:
The phases of the model and each of the steps were developed as a result of consultation, expert opinion and practical experiences, including the Queensland Stay on Your Feet® Wide Bay/Burnett trial project. It is also based on falls prevention research and good practice planning, implementation and evaluation by using the RE-AIM framework.
The model should be used in collaboration and partnership, at all levels within communities, organisations, individuals, agencies and government departments. The model provides a framework to investigate falls and contributing factors, as well as help reduce falls and subsequent injury [5 ] and promote healthy active ageing.
It is suggested that the model be used sequentially but not prescriptively or in isolation from:
The goal of the model is to promote a sustainable whole-of-community response to reducing falls in older people and promoting healthy active ageing. This can be achieved at three different levels independently or in combination:
Falls, including their consequences and prevention, are not only a health issue. Every agency, organisation, service and government department that work with older people has an ongoing role and responsibility to take action to prevent and reduce falls and promote healthy active ageing.
Investigate the problem and find out more from the data and the community.
Phase 1 is a comprehensive investigation of falls and other factors at a local level and identifies the effects of falls on older people and the community.
This phase involves determining the community's ideas and attitudes about falls, analysing available data and conducting a stocktake of local current and relevant services and activity.
Work should not be undertaken without first determining how it aligns with current national, state and local initiatives. Determining this context can strengthen your initiatives. The collection and analysis of local information is essential to establish a baseline and inform the decision-making processes in Phase 2.
Phase 2 builds upon the findings of Phase 1, by taking an in-depth look at the evidence for successful community interventions.
By consulting the community, you will be able to review what already exists in falls prevention, and what groups (if any) are already working to provide a supportive environment for healthy active ageing.
The decision-making process is based on selecting strategies according to evidence, their ability to be achieved, potential to be sustained [4], and acceptability to the target group. The writing of community action plans helps to formalise the process of Phase 2.
Phase 3 involves putting the work of Phases 1 and 2 into action.
This phase includes pre-testing strategies and resources with older people, and those who work with older people, to make sure they are appropriate before implementation.
It also identifies which work can be done immediately and what can be done in the future to accomplish some achievements and 'early wins' before moving to more difficult and complex issues.
Phase 4 involves an ongoing analysis and improvement process. This will help to determine if the intended audience and set objectives are being reached and if changes are required.
Long-term outcomes such as a reduction in falls or an increase in physical activity services can only be measured after the model has been in place for a long period of time for example: one to five years. Information about actions and results are regularly shared with the community and key stakeholders throughout the project/program on an ongoing basis.
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