Fall risk tool implementation for individuals living in a group home setting

Purpose of the Project: Due to the increased risk of falls and injuries among aging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in group home settings, implementing standardized evidence-based risk prevention program identification tools is essential for caregivers to improve safety.Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted in a residential setting that supports aging clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities in six group homes, with a census of 34 individuals. Sixteen staff members, including program managers, supervisors, and medical staff, were trained to implement the CDC STEADI fall prevention program. The goal was to determine whether risk identification tools would decrease fall rates in group homes supporting aging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Results: The implementation of the STEADI program's fall risk tools as part of this quality improvement project, using frequency data, demonstrated that there were nine falls prior to the program's implementation. There were six falls eight weeks post-implementation, resulting in a reduction of three falls post-implementation. The preliminary outcomes suggest a promising effect of implementing the fall training and the program's associated fall risk tools. Continued evaluation of the program is needed given the short eight-week implementation period to determine the sustained impact in these group home settings. Implications for Practice: With proper training and support, an integrated, evidence-based risk identification approach using the STEADI program may be beneficial for preventing falls among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a group home setting.