Fall Risk Identification and Management for Older Veterans (NCT06573983) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Fall Risk Identification and Management for Older Veterans
United States108 participantsStarted 2025-02-04
Plain-language summary
Falls are a common occurrence among older adults, and Veterans have an even higher risk of falling compared to non-Veterans. These falls often lead to severe health consequences, including traumatic brain injuries, hip fractures, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and even death. It is crucial to prioritize fall prevention in order to reduce injuries and enable older Veterans to age comfortably at home. Although current fall prevention programs in the Veterans Health Administration primarily focus on inpatient care and nursing homes, there is a pressing need to address falls among older Veterans living independently in the community. The proposed VA-specific Fall Risk Identification and Management (FRIM) model aims to proactively prevent falls in older Veterans who receive primary care, effectively reducing the occurrence of adverse health events associated with falls. By placing emphasis on prevention rather than reacting after falls have already happened, this initiative seeks to significantly enhance the overall well-being of older Veterans.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Receives care within GeriPACT, or general PACT as needed (Aim 1); Receives care within general PACT (standard VHA primary care) (Aim 2)
* Screens positive for increased fall risk (answers "yes" to any of 3 screening questions)
* Positive screen on at least two fall risk factor assessments (Aim 1); Positive screen on at least one fall risk factor assessment (Aim 2)
* Access to telehealth
* Availability of an additional adult (e.g., caregiver or family member) to be present during the physical assessment
Exclusion Criteria:
* Life expectancy \<12 months, as determined by PCP
* Neurological diagnosis (e.g., cerebral vascular accident, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease)
* Moderate cognitive impairment (\<13 on telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BLIND) or \<18 on MoCA Full administered during clinic visit in the previous 3 months)
* Unstable condition that precludes safe participation in structured exercise (e.g., recent deep vein thrombosis) if expected fall risk factor is physical, as determined by PCP or chart review
* Participation in any intervention components of the FRIM model, with the intention of reducing a FRIM fall risk factor, within the past 2 months
* Currently using a wheelchair for mobilization
* If it is in the opinion of the study staff that the participant would be at an increased suicide risk due to study procedures
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.