Document Type

DNP - Open Access

Award Date

2026

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Lea Niederbaumer

Second Advisor

Robin Arends

Abstract

Background: Falls are common among the elderly population. Falls affect not only residents but also staff in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Approximately one in three individuals aged 65 years or older will have a fall within a year. As the population ages, the incidence of falls continues to rise globally. Falls, overall, have a significant and widespread impact on the overall health and wellbeing of individuals, leading to increased hospitalizations, rehabilitation, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. 
Evidence Summary: Multifactorial fall prevention programs have proven to be effective in reducing falls when implemented in various settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and LTCFs. These intervention programs are unique as they can be tailored in various settings and produce significant results in fall occurrence reduction. 
Gaps: Studies failed to address sustainability and ongoing monitoring within LTCFs with larger numbers of residents. The studies that addressed multifactorial interventions failed to mention which interventions were most effective. More research is needed to determine whether these multifactorial fall intervention programs are effective in underserved and vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. Recommendations for Practice: Implementing multifactorial fall-prevention programs affects the occurrence of falls across settings such as hospitals, clinics, LTCFs, and rehabilitation facilities. Once these interventions are established, surveillance and follow-up are needed to ensure their sustainability. Multifactorial fall intervention programs should be implemented based on the facilities’ needs and tailored to patients’ clinical needs.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2026 Latoya Shirley

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