Purpose: This study examined the reliability and validity of a Falls Risk Assessment (FRA) tool developed to identify risk factors associated with falls in homebound older adults. Design and Methods: FRA scores of 307 Medicare-eligible adults over 65 admitted sequentially to a home health agency (HHA) were analyzed retrospectively using a case-control design. 18 subjects participated prosepctively in assessment of criterion-related validity and rater reliability. Results: Mean FRA scores of “fallers” were significantly higher than “non-fallers”. The FRA and Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) demonstrated a strong negative correlation, utilizing a Pearson correlation. Using percent agreement, FRA scores of nine raters yielded 94.74% agreement. Kuder-Richardson (KR)-20 anlysis yielded internal consistency of .98, .97, and .98 within subjects scored, indicating high consistency among raters. An intraclass correlation coefficient of .83 supports intra-rater reliability. “History of recurrent falls” was the only significant predictor in logistic regression. Implications: Data support use of the FRA in screening for fall-related risk factors in homebound older adults.
