Preliminary Analysis of Fall Concern Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults Discharged From the Hospital: A Psychometric Evaluation of the Carers' Fall Concern Instrument

PURPOSE: To provide a preliminary descriptive analysis of the change in fall concern among family caregiver-care recipient dyads during hospitalization and after discharge as part of a prospective study exploring the psychometric properties of the Carers' Fall Concern Instrument. METHOD: Using a prospective cohort design, an interviewer -administered survey was completed by dyads at 48 hours before discharge and 1 week and 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: Of family caregivers, 76.9% thought their care recipient was at risk of falling and 61.5% were afraid of them falling. However, only 34.6% of older adults thought that they were at risk of falling and only 42.3% were afraid of falling. Family caregivers reported signi ficantly less concern about falls after their care recipients were discharged. CONCLUSION: This study provided greater insight into caregiver-care recipient dyads' fall concern during their transition from hospital to home that may guide post -discharge fall prevention education on falls. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50 (5), 14-18.]