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Developing MOVE Together: Reduce Falls. A program co-designed with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Tracks
Ballroom 1
Design
Exercise
Falls / Fall Preventaion
Minority Groups
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker

Assoc Prof Michele Callisaya
Principal Research Fellow
University of Tasmania

Developing MOVE Together: Reduce Falls. A program co-designed with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Abstract

Background: Falls are a leading cause of disability in older people. People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are under-represented in research, exacerbating inequity in healthcare.
Aims: To identify the key elements of a co-designed program that supports older people from CALD communities to exercise regularly to reduce their risk of falling, and evaluate the engagement and experience of participants in the project.
Method: A 5-stage integrated knowledge translation approach was adopted. The co-design team (23 members including older people from CALD communities, clinicians, researchers, and people from CALD organisations) developed the research approach and designed and adapted the program. Older people from CALD communities and healthcare workers with a diversity of experience and opinion were recruited to inform key program elements. Participant engagement was evaluated via the proportion of people approached who participated. Participant experience was evaluated via We-enact questionnaire.
Results: Key program elements included individualised physiotherapy sessions, behaviour change support, falls/exercise discussion, video/infographic resources and social support. Program physiotherapist training included cultural awareness, coaching, and working optimally with interpreters. The program name was modified based on participant feedback. Sixty-nine (82%) of the 84 people approached participated in the study. In terms of experience, nearly all participants identified researchers respected different views (96%) and provided opportunity for ideas and opinion sharing (93%).
Conclusion: We co-designed a CALD appropriate falls prevention program. Engagement and satisfaction of participants involved in the process was high. Next steps will involve evaluation of the program via a pilot randomised trial.

Biography

Michele is an academic physiotherapist who has worked for over 20 years in neurological rehabilitation and aged care. Her research aims to improve function and reduce the impact of falls, frailty and dementia in older people. She has been awarded over $28 million in research funding and has published over 165 research articles.

Session Chair

Agenda Item Image
Claudia Meyer
Senior Research Fellow
Bolton Clarke

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