Older Adults’ and Professionals’ Attitudes Towards Stair-Fall Prevention Interventions

Background/Objective: Stair falls are a major health concern for older adults, particularly those wishing to age in place. Despite extensive laboratory research on the causes of stair falls and the effectiveness of prevention interventions, there is limited understanding of how acceptable interventions are to end-users and key stakeholders in real-world home environments. This study explored older adults’ and professionals’ attitudes toward stair-fall prevention interventions, including intervention acceptability, barriers and facilitators to adoption, and priorities for implementation in home settings. Methods: This study employed a sequential mixed-method design, including a survey of 359 UK community-dwelling older adults (aged 55+), followed by focus groups with 8 older adults and 11 professionals from healthcare and housing backgrounds. Results: Older adults surveyed perceived home stair falls as a significant risk and priority for prevention but demonstrated less awareness of specific interventions to prevent falls. Focus groups with older adults and professionals established barriers and facilitators to the adoption of 10 specific stair-fall prevention interventions. Barriers included a lack of awareness, financial constraints, reluctance to alter home environments and stigma. Facilitators included raising awareness through education, clear guidance on intervention benefits and installation, practical and financial support, personalised approaches, social encouragement, and endorsement by professionals. Focus groups found the most acceptable stair-fall prevention interventions included education and skill training, improved staircase lighting and additional handrails. Conclusions: Interventions that are low-disruption, cost-effective, backed by empirical evidence, and endorsed by trusted professionals are more likely to be accepted and implemented. Further research should focus on targeted educational strategies to overcome barriers to adoption.