Fall prevention in a dementia care centre in Gauteng
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Date
2020
Authors
Mabula, Lizzie Nomasonto
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Abstract
The psycho-geriatric population has a high risk of falling due to the symptoms with which this group presents. The study explored and described any possible relationship between the fall risk of the psycho-geriatric residents of a dementia care centre in Gauteng and the nature of the staff’s fall prevention practices and educational needs.
This was a mixed-method study, using a sequential explanatory design with three phases. Phase one consisted of structured observations of psycho-geriatric residents. Phase two consisted of group interviews with nurses and care workers. Phase three linked the results of the first two phases. The results showed that psycho-geriatric residents’ fall risk was moderate. The staff was found to be struggling with fall prevention due to some difficulties. These were found to be linked to the psychogeriatric residents’ fall risk. There is a need to improve training on fall prevention in the dementia care centre
Description
Research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing, 2020