Trends in Geospatial Drivers of Fall-Related Hospitalizations and Asset Mapping of Fall Prevention Interventions for Vulnerable Older Adults.

Towne Jr., Samuel D.; Smith, Matthew Lee; Xu, Minjie; Lee, Sungmin; Sharma, Sushma; Smith, Don; Li, Yajuan; Fucci, Yasmin; Ory, Marcia G.

Objective: Given that one in four older adults suffer potentially preventable falls annually, we aimed to identify areas with (a) delivery gaps of evidence-based programs (EBPs) targeting fall prevention among older adults, namely A Matter of Balance (AMOB), and (b) high rates of fall-related hospitalizations—hotspots. Method: Analyses included multiple geospatially linked datasets. Results: EBPs were delivered ≥1 time in 84 counties in 2012 and 90 counties in 2014. Factors associated with EPB delivery gaps (absence; p <.05) included high-density older adult areas, non-fall-related hospitalization hotspots, lower population density, nonmetropolitan areas, high-density Hispanic adult areas, and areas with limited access to home health care agencies. Hotspots for fall-related hospitalization numbered 64 in 2012 and 62 in 2014. Factors associated with hotspots included low-density older adult areas, having AMOB delivered ≥1 time annually, high population density, and high-density Hispanic adult areas. Discussion: In resource-finite settings (e.g., the aging services sector), identifying high priority areas allows for precise allocation of limited resources.

MEDICAL care for older people; ACCIDENTAL falls; HISPANIC Americans; HOSPITAL care; MEDICAL care; HEALTH policy; POPULATION density; HUMAN services programs; OLD age

Journal of Aging & Health, 2020, Vol 32, Issue 5/6, p328

0898-2643

Academic Journal

10.1177/0898264318822381