Date of Conferral

10-21-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Barabara Niedz

Abstract

Wisconsin has the highest death rates from falls in the nation. In a brief, the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network indicated that most falls among individuals over 65 occur in residential settings. Further, a significant number of elderly people will fall each year, resulting in hospitalizations or fatalities. The purpose of this project was to provide staff education in one Wisconsin assisted living facility to effectively improve knowledge, attitude, and skill among frontline staff for fall prevention management. A formal Fall Education Day was provided to improve knowledge and shape positive attitudes among staff. A pretest-posttest design was used to measure knowledge before and after the fall education day activities. Frontline caregivers (n = 20) attended the in-person education. Knowledge scores improved from 95.5 to 99.50, a 6-point increase which was statistically significant, t(19) = -3.559, p =.001. Attitudes regarding falls shifted from negative to positive. This shift was statistically significant, t(19) = - 2.342, p = .030. Following the fall simulation, frontline caregivers discussed the challenges of using the fall management policy but expressed interest in applying the fall safety measures practiced during training. Education and training promote safer practices to prevent falls and injuries by tailoring teaching methods to address the specific needs of each older resident. These methods focus on mobility, psychosocial, and cognitive concerns to ensure all individuals receive appropriate support. The fall education program has implications for improving caregiver practice in assisted living, reducing falls and fall injuries, and optimizing resident outcomes, positive social changes.

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