【Aim】This study aimed to clarify the effects of a fall prevention intervention that focused on the characteristics of falls among elderly patients with dementia and was based on person-centred care in geriatric facilities in the Hokuriku Region.

【Methods】 This study was conducted between June 2016 and May 2017. The study period of nine months was divided into three months each for a training programme, fall prevention practice and a follow-up period, respectively. There were a total of 32 subjects classified into two groups. (1) The intervention group comprised 18 subjects (5 males: 27.8 %, 13 females: 72.2 %), who had participated in the three-month educational training programme. (2) The control group comprised 14 subjects (2 males: 14.3 %, 12 females: 85.7%), who were provided usual care.

【Results】The fall rate in the intervention group decreased by 41.20 % during the intervention, as compared to the 66.70% at the baseline. The number of falls reduced by 6 cases during the intervention, as compared to the 19 at baseline. As a result of being divided into two groups (high and low), in the intervention group at a score of the GBS scale C and D at baseline, falls significantly decreased in the high group.

【Discussion】 It was suggested that it was effective in preventing falls associated with behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) since the fall rate significantly decreased among the subjects showing BPSD in this study.

【Objective】This study attempts to clarify the change in awareness of multi-professional cooperation among care staff through a fall prevention program based on person-centered care (PCC).

【Methods】We implemented a fall prevention program for elderly people with dementia at long-term healthcare facilities. The care staff worked as part of a multi-professional collaborative fall prevention team using the knowledge acquired during three months of “training.” Subsequently, three-months of “practice” and “follow ups” were conducted. Of the 57 participants who tended to elderly with dementia, six agreed to a focus group interview (FGI). A FGI was conducted after both the “practice” and the “follow-up.” The interviews were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively. The qualitative analysis was presented to experts and research participants with research experience in dementia nursing. Advice was taken for the interpretation of the analysis to improve reliability and validity.

【Results】There were four categories of changes regarding care staff after the practice phase: “becoming more aware of fall prevention;” “prevent falls by considering the reason for action from the viewpoint of the patient;” “collaborating on multi-professional teams leads to increased motivation for fall prevention;” and “differences in staff consciousness make it difficult to practice fall prevention.” Four categories were obtained regarding changes in consciousness among care staff after the follow-up phase: “establish rules to spread practices based on the fall prevention index;” “modify care according to the individual;” “conferencing is needed for planning fall prevention measures;” and “care staff want to continue collaborative development of fall prevention care.”

【Conclusions】With the PCC-based fall prevention program, improved consciousness among care staff initiated an increase in motivation for fall prevention, considerations of fall prevention from the viewpoint of elderly people with dementia, and a deeper awareness of cooperation among those from multiple occupations. Furthermore, the change in consciousness among care staff continued after the follow-up phase.