The Otago strength and balance exercise programme lowers the risk of death and falls in the older people at 12 months
- Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Correspondence to Lesley Day
Monash Injury Research Institute, Building 70, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 VIC, Australia; lesley.day{at}monash.edu
Implications for practice and research
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▪ The Otago exercise programme (OEP) can be recommended by nurses for independently ambulant community-dwelling older people, particularly those 80 years and above.
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▪ Community health nurses could consider undertaking training, where available, to deliver the OEP.
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▪ Older people considering the OEP should be advised of the kinds of adverse events they might experience and how these should be managed should they arise.
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▪ Providing ongoing encouragement and examination of those undertaking the OEP will be important in securing the exercise dose required for falls prevention benefits.
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▪ Future research of the factors associated with exercise compliance and motivating factors for home exercise programmes will assist in maximising the benefits of these programmes.
Context
Falls are a significant threat to the safety, health and independence of our older citizens.1 Falls are relatively common, with about one-third of people aged 65 years and above experiencing at least one fall annually.1 2 A constellation of adverse health outcomes can follow, including serious injury; increased mortality risk; erosion of overall health status, confidence, mobility and independence; and decreased quality of life.1 2
There is robust evidence that exercise can reduce falls particularly among community-dwelling older people, with the types of exercise and minimum dose having been specified.2 3 One of the …
