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Experiences of therapists trying to reduce falls risk for people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- PAL Jaya, HALE Leigh A., MIRFIN-VEITCH Brigit
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 2014, pp.314-320.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As a starting point to guide the development of research into possible fall prevention strategies for people with ID, the authors interviewed a purposive sample of physiotherapists and occupational therapists currently working for one service organization in New Zealand. A series of semistructured interviews were conducted using an open-ended questioning technique. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Five categories emerged from the interviews: the therapist's roles, successful and unsuccessful strategies, justification of strategies, barriers, and future strategies. Four main fall prevention strategies were identified that therapists thought to be most useful, including environmental modifications, participation in physical activity and exercise, prescription of assistive mobility devices, and education on safe mobility. It was concluded that the experiences and insights of the therapists could provide direction for future research as well as for therapists currently working in the field. (Edited publisher abstract)