Publication Date
Fall 2025
Degree Type
Doctoral Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Graham Teaford
Second Advisor
Caitlin Greene
Third Advisor
Courtney Boitano
Keywords
Fall Prevention, Staff Education, Safety care, Older adults
Abstract
Approximately one in four older adults experiences a fall each year in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024b; Kakara et al., 2023). Among those residing in nursing homes for either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, the risk of falls is doubled (Acker & Janssen, 2017; Shao et al., 2023). The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop an educational resource aimed at enhancing staff education and fall prevention efforts within a single nursing home, supporting the facility’s goal of reducing fall rates. Methods included a needs assessment, observational experiences, resource development, and the administration of surveys before, during, and after the resource development process to inform the direction of the resource. Survey results showed that staff shared neutral to strong agreement with each of the survey items, indicating shared beliefs about the seriousness and preventability of falls and the nature of fall prevention at English Oaks. Post-survey response item analysis demonstrated positive and negative changes in frequency and central tendency of responses. The survey results suggested that the educational resource successfully improved some fall-related perceptions and levels of satisfaction with fall prevention practices, but substantial opportunities for continued growth remain. The final educational resource was provided to the facility with a plan for implementation, evaluation, and continued refinement. This project promotes safety and quality of care for older adults through evidence-based education and interdisciplinary collaboration, exemplifying occupational therapy’s leadership in translating research into evidence-informed and innovative solutions grounded in community needs. Implications for occupational therapy include supporting the profession’s role in staff education and quality improvement efforts to address gaps in service delivery.
Recommended Citation
Ghione, Sarah, "A Guide to Falls in a Skilled Nursing Facility" (2025). Doctoral Projects. 193.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.vcaa-qxd3
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_doctoral/193
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