Preventing Falls in the Elderly

Kevin C. Rix Jr., MPH

Injury Prevention Coordinator

Disclosures

I have nothing to disclose.

Why does preventing older adult falls matter?

Every 12 seconds in

the United States a new person 65 years and older will arrive at an emergency department due to a fall.

There are 22 Trauma

Regions in Texas we call RACs

Texas

Falls in Texas

22 of 22 Trauma Regions in Texas the #1 Mechanism of

Injury are Older Adult Falls

Source: Texas Department of State Health Services Injury Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch, 2014

The Damage of Falling

The obvious ones:

1. Long Bone Fractures

2.Hip Fractures 3. Skull and Facial

Fractures 4.Traumatic

Brain Injuries 5.Contusions and

Abrasions

The Damage of Falling

The not-so obvious ones:

1. Reduced Activity

2.Limited Social Interaction

3. Increased Sleep Issues

4.Constant Fear of Falling

Financially they hurt too…

$31,000,000,000

So… Falling isn’t fun. Let’s Do Something about it!

The Spectrum of Prevention

Yellow Band Blinding

This Trap Happens All the Time.

The Big 3 for Providers

1. Have you fallen in the past year?

2. Do you feel unsteady while walking or standing?

3. Do you worry about falling?

Understand what your facility has for your older adults.

• Do you have a geriatric in-patient service?

• Is there a full time or part time injury prevention program?

• Do you have a prevention coordinator in your facility?

• Does your facility encourage an emphasis on programs outside the hospital?

• Who are community contacts you can reach out to?

Evidence Based Community Programming

• Developed in Australia by Dr. Lindy Clemson, OT

• Tested/implemented in community setting

• 2-hour sessions once a week for 7 weeks

• Follow-up home visit

• Follow-up booster session

• 8-12 participants

• Led by 2 trained Leaders

16

What can a provider do?

• Know which programs your facility participates in and who to contact to get your patients resources

• Recommend to their patients about signing up for a local program

• Act as a Content Expert for a program • Geriatric Vision Expert • Physical Therapist • Community Safety Expert • Pharmacists

• Hospital-based providers should encourage leadership to support community based programming

The Spectrum of Prevention

Your Voice Goes the

Furthest at the top of

the Pyramid

Sometimes People Still Fall…

Comprehensive Tool Kit For Providers and Patients

• Fact Sheets • Algorithms • Case Studies • Blood Pressure Charts • Assessments • Checklists • Talking Points • Referral Forms • Brochures • Exercises • Wall Chart

The Story of Mike…

And his Mom

A Providers Power

In case you’re not familiar:

Community Resources Without Leaving the Building.

No More Falls For Mike or His Mom

Thank you all very much