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Helen W. Lach, Ph.D., RN, CNL, FGSA, FAAN

Associate Dean for Research ; Ph.D. Program Director


Courses Taught

Interdisciplinary Care of the Elderly (NP-Masters Level), Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Vulnerable Populations (PhD), Evidence-Based Practice II (DNP), Clinical Studies Capstone (Accelerated Masters). Dr. Lach is faculty for the interdisciplinary Saint Louis University Geriatric Education Center

Education

  • B.S.N., Saint Louis University
  • M.S.N. (R) Gerontological Nursing, Saint Louis University
  • Ph.D., Nursing, Saint Louis University
  • NINR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Saint Louis University
  • John A. Hardford Foundation Claire Fagin Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Washington University and University of Iowa

Research Interests

Dr. Lach's research interests are primarily in the area of falls and injuries in older adults, with a special interest in fear of falling. She has also studied safety problems for people with Alzheimer's disease in the home setting, and other issues in health education/health promotion. She is interested in theory-based interventions to improve older adults' and caregivers' awareness and self-management of these concerns

Publications and Media Placements

  • Lach, H. W., Harrison, B. E.  & Phongphanngam, S.# (2016). Falls and fall prevention in older adults with early stage dementia: An integrative review. Research in Gerontological Nursing. DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20160908-01*
  • Lach, H. W., & Leach K.# (2016). Changing the practice of physical restraint use in acute care. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(2), 17-26. DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20160113-04
  • Tumosa, N., Lach, H., Barney, K., & Orr, L. (2015). Interprofessional process in geriatric care. In K. F. Barney & M. A. Perkinson (Eds.), Occupational therapy with aging adults: Promoting quality of life through collaborative practice. St. Louis: Elsevier.
  • LeRouge, C. L., Tao, D., Wright, K., Wray, R., Lach, H. W., Seale, D., & Ohs, J., (2014). Challenges and opportunities with empowering Baby Boomers for personal health information management using consumer health technologies: An ecological perspective.AIMS Public Health, 45, 160-161. doi:10.393/publichealth.2014.3.160
  • Lach, H. W., Harrison, B. E.  & Phongphanngam, S.# (2016). Falls and fall prevention in older adults with early stage dementia: An integrative review. Research in Gerontological Nursing. DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20160908-01*
  • Lach, H. W., & Leach K.# (2016). Changing the practice of physical restraint use in acute care. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(2), 17-26. DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20160113-04
  • Tumosa, N., Lach, H., Barney, K., & Orr, L. (2015). Interprofessional process in geriatric care. In K. F. Barney & M. A. Perkinson (Eds.), Occupational therapy with aging adults: Promoting quality of life through collaborative practice. St. Louis: Elsevier.
  • LeRouge, C. L., Tao, D., Wright, K., Wray, R., Lach, H. W., Seale, D., & Ohs, J., (2014). Challenges and opportunities with empowering Baby Boomers for personal health information management using consumer health technologies: An ecological perspective.AIMS Public Health, 45, 160-161. doi:10.393/publichealth.2014.3.160
  • Lach, H. W., & Leach K. (2016). Changing the practice of physical restraint use in acute care. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(2), 17-26.
  • LeRouge, C. L., Tao, D., Wright, K., Wray, R., Lach, H. W., Seale, D., & Ohs, J., (2014). Challenges and opportunities with empowering Baby Boomers for personal health information management using consumer health technologies: An ecological perspective. AIMS Public Health, 45, 160-161. doi:10.393/publichealth.2014.3.160
  • Palmer, J. L., Lach, H. W., McGilick, J., Murphy-White, M., Armstrong, J., & Carroll, M. B. (submitted). The Dementia Friendly Hospital Initiative training for acute care nurses and staff.
  • Palmer, J.L., Langan, J., Krampe, J., Krieger, M., Lorenz, R., Schneider, J.K., Smith, J.M., and Lach, H. W. (in press). A model of risk reduction for older adults vulnerable to nursing home placement, Research and Theory for Nursing Practice.
  • Lach, H. W. (In press). Financial conflicts of interest: Recognition and management. Nursing Research.
  • Shin, C. N., & Lach, H. W. (In press). Acculturation and health of Korean American adults. Journal of Transcultural Nursing.
  • Lach, H. W., Lorenz., R. A., & L’Ecuyer, K. M. (2014). Aging muscles and joints: Mobilization. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 26(1), 105-113.
  • Lach, H. W. & Parsons, J. L. (OnlineFirst). Impact of fear of falling in long term care: An integrative review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. April 18, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2013.02.019
  • Lach, H. W., Hertz, J. E., Pomeroy, S. H., Resnick, B., & Buckwalter, K. C. (2013). The challenges and benefits of distance mentoring. Journal of Professional Nursing, 29(1), 39-48.*
  • Lach, H. W., Ball, L. J., & Birge, S. J. (2012). The Nursing Home Falls Self-Efficacy Scale: Development and Testing. Clinical Nursing Research, 21(1), 79-91. Doi: 101177/1054773811426927*
  • Lach, H. W., Krampe, J. Phongphanngam, S. (2011). Best practice in fall prevention: Roles of informal caregivers, health care providers and the community. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 6(4), 299-306.
  • Chang, Y. P., Edwards, D. F. & Lach, H. W. (2011). The Collateral Source Version of Geriatric Depression Scale: Evaluation of Psychometric Properties and Discrepancy between Collateral Sources and Patients with Dementia in Reporting Depression. International Psychogeriatrics, 23(2), 961-968. Doi: 101017/S1041610211000147*
  • Shin, C. N., & Lach, H. W. (2011). Nutritional issues of Korean Americans. Clinical Nursing Research, 20(2), 162-180.*
  • Lach, H. W. (2010). The costs and outcomes of falls: What’s a nursing administrator to do? Nursing Administration Quarterly, 34(2), 147-155.
  • Lach, H. W., Chang, Y. P., & Edwards, D. F. (2010). Can older adults with dementia accurately report depression using brief forms? Reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 36(5), 30-37.*
  • Lach, H. W., Chang, Y. P. (2007) Caregiver perspectives on safety in home dementia care. Western Journal of Nursing Research. 29 (8), 993-1014.*
  • Lach, H. W., Langan, J. C., & James, D. C. (2005). Disaster planning: Are gerontological nurses prepared? Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31(11), 21-27.
  • Lach, H.W. (2005). Incidence and risk factors for developing fear of falling in older adults. Public Health Nursing, 22 (1), 45-52.*
  • Lach, H. W., Highstein, G., Brownson, C.A., & Everard, K.M. (2004). Application of the Transtheoretical model to health promotion for older adults. Health Promotion Practice, 5(1), 88-93.
  • Everard, K. M., Lach, H. W., Fisher, E. B., & Baum, M. C. (2000). Relationship of activity and social support to the functional health of older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 55B, S208-S212.*
  • Everard, K. M., Lach, H. W., & Heinrich, B. (2000). The development of HealthStages: A unique university and not-for- profit collaboration to enhance successful aging. Journal of Educational Gerontology, 26, 715-724.
  • Lach, H. W., Reed, A. T., Smith, L .J, & Carr, D. B. (1995). Alzheimer’s disease: Assessing safety problems in the home. Geriatric Nursing, 16 (4) 160-164.*
  • Arfken, C. L., Lach, H. W., Birge, S. J., & Miller, J. P. (1994). The prevalence and correlates of fear of falling in elderly persons living in the community. American Journal of Public Health, 84 (4), 565-570.*
  • Lach, H. W., Dwyer, J. T., & Mann, M. (1994). P.E.P.: A partnership to asses and modify nutrition behavior in older adults. Journal of Nutrition in the Elderly. 13 (3), 57-68.*
  • Arfken, C. L., Lach, H. W., McGee, S., Birge, S. J., & Miller, J. P. (1994). Visual acuity, visual disabilities and falling in the elderly. Journal of Aging and Health, 6 (1), 38-50.*
  • Lach, H. W., Reed, A. T., Arfken, C. L., Miller, J. P., Paige, G. D., Birge, S. J., & Peck, W. A. (1991) Falls in the elderly: Reliability of a classification system. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 39: 197-202.*
  • Lach, H. W., & Renna, R. S. (1991). A task force approach to managing aging issues. Nursing Management, 22 (1), 62-64.
  • Reed, A. T., Lach, H. W. Smith, L, & Birge, S. (1990). Alzheimer’s disease and the need for supervision. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Research, 5 (5), 29 - 34.*
  • Houston, K, & Lach, H. W. (1990). Restraints: How do you score? Geriatric Nursing, 11 (5), 231- 232.
  • Lach, H. W. (2012). Geriatrics in a Page: Falls in older adults: Prevention is the key. Aging Successfully, 22(1), 12.
  • Lach, H. W. (2012). Show me falls free Missouri. Missouri Nurse, Spring, 2012, 18-21.
  • L’Ecuyer, K., & Lach, H. W. (in press) Care of the high acuity older adult. In M. K. Wagner, K. Johnson & M. Hardin-Pierce (Eds), High Acuity Nursing, 6h Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Lach, H. W. (2012). The Future of falls research: Nurses should lead the way. (Guest Editorial and Guest Editor for Special Issue on Falls). Clinical Nursing Research, 21(1),
  • Lach, H. W. (2012). Home Safety Inventory for older adults with dementia. TRYThis: Best Practices in Nursing Care to Older Adults. Issue Number D12, 2012. http://consultgerirn.org/resources
  • Lach, H. W. (2010). Nurses call to action to promote fall prevention awareness. SIGN, NGNA Newsletter, 17(5), 3.
  • Lach, H. W. (2010). The 2009 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award: Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 36(3), 8-9.
  • Lach, H. W. (2008). Reaching out with online education. Aging Successfully, 18 (1), 15.
  • L’ecuyer, K., & Lach, H. W. (2010) Care of the high acuity older adult. In M. K. Wagner, K. Johnson & M. Hardin-Pierce (Eds), High Acuity Nursing, 5 th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Lach, H. W. (2007). Dizziness, and Health Maintenance. Gerontological Nursing Software, PEPID Medical Information Services.
  • Lach, H. W. (2007). Research briefs: Another opportunity for research dissemination. (Editorial). Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 33(2), 3-4.
  • Linton, A. D. & Lach, H. W. (Eds). (2007). Matteson & McConnell’s Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice. St. Louis: Saunders/Elsevier.
  • Lach, H. W. (2007). Research briefs: Another opportunity for research dissemination. Guest Editorial. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 33, 4-5.
  • Lach, H. W. (2006). Self-efficacy and fear of falling: In search of complete theory. (Letter to the editor). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52 (2), 381-382.
  • Lach. H. W. (2006). Dizziness in the Elderly. In Fitzpatrick, J. J. & Fulmer, T., Wallace, M. & Flaherty, E. (Eds.) Geriatric Nursing Research Digest, 2nd Edition. New York: Springer.
  • Lach. H. W. (2000). Dizziness in the elderly. In Fitzpatrick, J. J. & Fulmer, T., Wallace, M. & Flaherty, E. (Eds.) Geriatric Nursing Research Digest. New York: Springer.
  • Lach, H. W. (2003). Fear of falling: An emerging public health problem. Generations, 26 (4), 33-37.
  • Lach, H. W. (2001). St. Louis: OASIS Institute. Staying on your feet: A health awareness course for older adults.
  • Oliver, C. R., Lach, H. W., & Heinrich, B. (1998). Health Stages Personal Health Workbook. St. Louis: OASIS Institute
  • Lach, H. W. (1993). The healthy older American: Assessment of the older adult. In Voss-Morice, S. Ed., Geriatric Nursing. New York: Skidmore Roth.
  • Lach, H. W., (1993). Use of physical restraints and options. In Problem Behaviors in Long Term Care, Swabo, P., Grossberg, G., Eds. New York: Springer.
  • Mann, M., Lach, H. W., Branham, J. (1993). Positive Attitudes, Positive Aging: A Guide for Positive Actions in Later Life. St. Louis: OASIS Institute.
  • Dwyer, J. T., Mann, M. & Lach, H. W. (1993). P.E.P.: A partnership to assess and modify nutrition behavior in older adults. Nutrition Update 3 (2), 2-4.