Evaluation of Physical, Social and Emotional Outcomes of Idaho's Fit and Fall Proof Program on Older Adults

Fall prevention for older adults is a public health priority. In Idaho, falling is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death among the elderly. Improving physical, social and mental well-being in older adults enables them to remain in their home, where they can age in place. Fit and Fall Proof (FFP) has been a partnership between state and local health districts since 2004. FFP is a volunteer-led, 10-week community-based program designed to improve strength, balance and mobility; as well as social and emotional engagement. We conducted a longitudinal quasi-experimental study to evaluate physical, social, and emotional outcomes among new participants. Primary outcomes, collected at baseline, 10-weeks and 20-weeks, were the 8-foot Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) and the SF-36v2. Overall 120 participants were recruited over two sessions, representing rural (53%) and urban (47%) participants. At baseline, 95 women (79%) and 25 men (21%) were enrolled, of which 57 were <75 years and 62 were ≥75 years. Significant improvements were seen in TUG times, as well as in SF-36v2 measures of physical, social, and emotional health. TUG improvements in participants ≥75 years were more affected by attendance, however, in participants who attended regularly, improvements were statistically equivalent to those <75 years. Participants completing both 10-week sessions (66%) showed sustained improvements over the second session. FFP is unique because class leaders are volunteers trained free-of-charge by community-based Master Trainers using an evidence-based curriculum. This public health partnership has a 12-year history of bringing critical – and effective - fall prevention programming to rural/frontier communities.