Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a fall prevention education intervention on residents and staff of an assisted living facility in order to promote independence and quality of life in older adults.

Design: A one way pre-post test design was used in this study.

Method: A convenience sample of seventeen residents, mean age 80, participated in an education session which included a pretest of fall risk knowledge followed by individual assessment of fall risk using Tinetti’s Timed Up and Go, Folstien Mini Mental Status Exam, and the Beers medication review. Eleven staff members received a pretest of fall risk knowledge and a fall prevention education session. Fall prevention interventions were developed based on the findings of the assessment. The post test was administered two weeks after the education session.

Results: Both residents and staff correctly identified significantly more fall risks post intervention, compared to their pre-intervention scores, t (16)= -6.11, p<.001, one tailed, and t (10)= -2.14, p<.03, one tailed respectively. The effectiveness of the education intervention with staff on actual falls in the facility was evaluated using a repeated measures t-test that compared the fall rates across 30 days pre-post intervention. The difference in rates were t (49)=1.63, p>.05, one tailed. Although the falls rate post intervention was reduced by two thirds, it was not statistically significant. There were 15 falls during the 30 days pre-intervention and 5 falls in the 30 days post intervention which is clinically significant.

Conclusions: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that, incorporating education on fall risk factors in conjunction with individualized fall risk assessment and intervention can be effective in reducing the risk of falls among older adults in assisted living.

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