Improving balance in community-dwelling elders using trained volunteers within faith-based institutions: a mixed methods feasibility study

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a volunteer-led balance programme for older adults.

Methods

A feasibility cluster RCT with focus groups were conducted in faith-based institutions. Eligibility criteria were: participants were ≥65 years, able to do five times sit -to-stand, had no falls in the previous six months and had good mental capacity. The intervention included supervised group exercises and exercise booklets for six months, education and a fall poster. Assessments included, TUG, MCTSiB, FTST, FES, mABC, OPQoL and DGLS at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Feasibility measures included numbers of volunteers, sessions, and volunteers” time commitment, views of participants about sustainability of program using qualitative focus groups and volunteers' ability to deliver programme.

Results

Three churches participated with 31 participants in each group. Participants had a mean age of 77.3 years, were 100% British, and 79% female. The sample size estimate for a future trial using TUG, was 79 per group. Focus groups showed perceived social and physical improvements in participants, need to extend the programme to the wider community, and increased confidence, participation and socialisation.

Conclusion

The community-based balance training in faith-based institutions, was feasible and acceptable in one geographical area and requires evaluation in cohesive diverse communities.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• If an institution or a community is united through faith, culture, national roots, or tradition, then these groups are ideal for such balance rehabilitation programmes, because of the familiarity of the location and people, cohesive culture or their ideology to help their communities.

• Participants and volunteers perceived improved participation, confidence and socialisation and were keen to continue programme.

• It is important to develop community-based falls prevention programmes that the National Health Service (NHS) can partially support using volunteers to reduce the burden of falls in the community and for the NHS.

Keywords:

• Community falls
• Older people
• Faith institutions
• Volunteer-led
• Balance improvement

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the participants (elders), volunteers and church leaders who participated and encouraged this work. We thank Dr. Matthew Brett for the useful discussions around statistical analysis for this work.

Disclosure statement

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.