Date of Conferral
9-3-2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Diane Whitehead
Abstract
The practice problem I identified was a rising number of resident falls throughout the past 6-12 months at a 29-bed assisted living facility (ALF). The organization requested an education program on evidence-based practices on fall prevention in older adults. I used the project question to explore if an education program would increase the knowledge of the staff and caregivers at the ALF. Numerous sources of evidence supported the practice guidelines including fall risk assessment tools. During the facility monthly staff meeting, participants completed a six-question knowledge assessment on falls. The participants completed the same assessment after the education program, as well as two addition questions assessing their perceive competence in assessing patients for fall risk. Pre-assessment results revealed that 50% of participants had little to no knowledge of what a fall risk assessment tool was and how to use it. Post-assessment results showed that 100% of participants indicated having some knowledge or being knowledgeable. All participants felt competence to assess residents for fall risk after the education program. Recommendations were to continue to present education sessions to the staff and caregivers. Health care providers with using their knowledge of fall risk assessment will support positive social change for this ALF. Assessing all residents for fall risk may translate to better care delivery to the residents and a higher quality of life for the residents living in the facility. With better care delivery to the residents, there will be a reduction in the number of resident falls and the residents will live a higher quality of life.
Recommended Citation
Hilding, Lindy, "Increasing Staff Knowledge in an Assisted Living Facility" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18226.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18226
