Your study’s full title: The Safe Steps Program: Co-design and development of a tailored falls prevention program for older adults with cognitive impairment

University affiliation:

• The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Discipline of Occupational Therapy
• University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine & Health, School of Health Sciences

Ethics approval/reference number: 2026/HE000228

Names co-authors: Weihong Zhang, Rik Dawson, Sally Day, Morag Taylor, Lynette Mackenzie, Anne Tiedemann, and Peter Stanbury

Principal researcher: Weihong Zhang

Purpose of study:

• To co-design and develop the Safe Steps Falls Prevention Program for older people with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment in partnership with key stakeholders, informed by findings from Phase 1 and existing evidence.
• To determine the core components, delivery model, and support strategies required to ensure the program is accessible, appropriate, and feasible for this population.

Participation criteria: This study will seek participants across 4 stakeholder groups:

1. Older people living with cognitive impairment and their carers/family members: This group will include individuals living with cognitive impairment, and where appropriate, their carers or family members, to reflect shared and complementary experiences of fall risks and falls prevention in everyday life.
2. Falls prevention program facilitators: This group will include current or former facilitators with experience across diverse settings (e.g. urban, regional, culturally and linguistically diverse groups) and backgrounds (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists, community health officers).
3. Clinicians and researchers: This group will include professionals with expertise in geriatrics, dementia care, allied health, falls prevention, and health promotion.
4. Service and Policy Representatives: This group will include representatives from Local Health Districts, aged care organisations, and individuals involved in service delivery, program implementation, or policy development.

Recruitment ends: 30 September 2026

Contact details: Dr Weihong Zhang (Responsible Researcher) Discipline of Occupational Therapy/School of Health Sciences/Faculty of Medicine & Health Phone: 02 9351 9438 Email: weihong.zhang@sydney.edu.au