The Feasibility and Effectiveness of Translating a Matter of Balance Into a Volunteer Lay Leader Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine whether A Matter of Balance, a cognitive-behavioral program previously found to be efficacious in a randomized clinical trial (RCT), could be translated into a community-based volunteer lay leader model and achieve outcomes comparable to those found in the RCT. A repeated measures, single-group design is employed. Participants experience significant increases in falls efficacy, falls management, and falls control at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months, thus achieving comparable outcomes with those of participants in the RCT. This successful translation of a professionally led health promotion program into a volunteer lay leader model enables embedding the program in communitybased organizations, thus making it more broadly available to older adults in diverse settings. The findings also suggest that other evidence-based programs currently requiring professional staff can be adapted for facilitation by volunteers.

Programmatic influences on outcomes of an evidence-based fall prevention program for older adults: a translational assessment

“…Implications for research translation and public health practice This study supports the assertion that large-scale dissemination of evidence-based programs is possible and can improve the health of older adults, as found in the original study [25] and the initial examination of the adapted program [12]. In the case of AMOB/VLL, thousands of Texans across the state were reached with an intervention that reduced falls.…”

“…Positive program outcomes were first documented in a randomized trial with the intervention delivered by healthcare professionals [25]. A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader model (AMOB/VLL) is an adaptation of the randomized trial where the program content is delivered by lay leaders instead of professionals [12]. Rather than focusing on clinical outcomes such as falls, AMOB/VLL targets falls-related risk factors by addressing both attitudes and behaviors that predispose older adults to falls.…”

“…In 2000, the national costs of falls was estimated to exceed 19 billion annually and projected to surpass $50 billion annually with the aging of the baby boomers [11]. A major development toward addressing the public health challenge of falls has been increased awareness that behavioral approaches delivered with fidelity to intervention protocols by trained lay persons can be as effective as those delivered by healthcare professionals (e.g., by physical therapists) [12]. An infrastructure training lay leaders, ensuring program The findings of this study are useful for grandscale deliverers, implementers, and evaluators of evidence-based disease-prevention programs for older adults.…”

Efectos del programa educativo GERO-HEALTH sobre el nivel de interiorización de conocimientos de prevención y promoción de la salud en personas mayores

“…Diversos estudios (Healy et al, 2008;Robson, Edwards, Gallagher & Baker, 2003) sobre programas de este tipo muestran como la teoría del aprendizaje social (Bandura et al, 1977) promueve la auto-eficacia y la gestión de riesgos para la salud, en concreto, en un tema donde la confianza y la gestión del riesgo son vitales, como es la prevención de caídas.…”

The Role of Primary Care Providers in Managing Falls

“…Research has shown that participants in the program improved significantly in their confidence in their ability to perform everyday activities without falling; their perceived ability to manage the risk of falling; and their level of exercise, level of social activity, and number of falls [21].…”