Fear of Falling and Older Adult Peer Production of Audio-Visual Discussion Material

Abstract

A growing body of work suggests that negative stereotypes of, and associations between, falling, fear of falling, and ageing, may mean that older adults reject falls information and advice. Against a widely accepted backdrop of demographic ageing in Europe and that alleviating the impacts of falls and fear of falling are pressing health care matters, this is a critical issue. This paper describes a recent peer learning and sharing strategy that set out to iteratively produce a series of short audio visual discussion programs on falling and fear of falling. Key outcomes included older adults appreciating peer group sharing as an acceptable way of opening up the silence surrounding falls incidences, enjoying participating in a problem solving strategy, and emphasizing that falls prevention is not just their responsibility. Outcomes suggest that peer learning and sharing are valuable falls and fear of falling support strategies.

This research was completed as part of a wider program of research within the TRIL Centre (Technology Research for Independent Living). The TRIL Centre is a multidisciplinary research centre, bringing together researchers from University College Dublin (UCD); Trinity College Dublin (TCD); National University of Ireland, Galway (NVIG), & Intel, funded by Intel and Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ireland. (www.trilcentre.org)

The authors thank all participants for their time and energy and all TRIL staff who contributed to this research activity. Special thanks to Dr. Cliodhna ni Scanaill, health research technologist, falls coprincipal investigator, TRIL Digital Health Group, Intel Ireland; Dr. Simon Roberts, ethnography coprincipal investigator, Digital Health Group, Intel Ireland, Dr. Lisa Cogan, TRIL, clinical research fellow, and Dr. Cormac Sheehan, TRIL, ethnographer.