Doctoral Capstone: Rise Up for Fall Prevention

Abstract

Literature shows that fall incidents among the aging population continues to increase despite the fact that they can be prevented. Falls are not a normal aspect of aging and can be put to a stop with proper education and programming. The capstone student collaborated with Cypress Cove, a life plan community located in Fort Myers, Florida where they identified a gap in programming for fall prevention services. The capstone student aimed to close this gap by creating and implementing a dynamic six week fall prevention program called, “Rise Up for Fall Prevention”. The educational lectures and group fitness classes were taught in-person at the capstone site. Overall, this project improved the lives of the residents and provided them with tools to decrease their risk of falls. Results of the study indicated that residents were satisfied with the program and felt confident utilizing the strategies they learned and implementing them into their daily lives.