Introduction

Key Risk Factors

How to Prevent Falls

Prevention Tips

Fall Risk Assessment

Resource Links

Ideas That Work
 - Health Fair
 - Bulletin Article
 - Newsletter Article
 - Presentation
 - Prevention Programs

"Real" Intersection of Systems

Preventing Falls as You Age

References

Ideas That Work

Sample Prevention Programs

Remembering When
Do you remember the name of Charles Lindbergh's plane or who sang "Minnie the Moocher"? Do you know what athlete was nicknamed "the Ebony Express" or the name of the town where the mighty Casey struck out? Chances are that the older adults in your community do, and a new National Fire Protection Assocition (NFPA) has turned those memories into life-saving lessons.

Remembering When, developed by the NFPA Center for High-Risk Outreach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contains everything you will need to conduct a comprehensive fall program (including fire prevention tips) for older adults. It utilizes group presentations, home visits, installation and intervention (including an easy-to-use data collection form) and a sample news release. You will receive reproducible handouts, printouts, graphs, and a fun Remembering When set of trivia questions and answers on famous songs people and places from the past coupled with questions on fall prevention.

To learn more about this program or to order, see the National Fire Protection Association Website at http://www.nfpa.org/education/rememberingwhen/rememberingwhen.asp.

Fall Prevention in the Home
This project has been implemented in Tuscon, Arizona since 1977. It’s purpose is to assess environmental, medical and behavioral risks for falls in the client’s home in order to reduce health and safety hazards.

Nurses, along with fire district personnel jointly conduct home visits. The fire prevention staff conducts a home safety assessment. Each client receives a Safety Aids Bag consisting of smoke alarms, nightlights, flashlights, batteries, counter mat, pot holders, timers, double-sided carpet tape, installation of grab bars, bathtub appliques, oven sticks, light bulbs, reflective tape, and a non-skid rug. The fire prevention specialist also conducts client education about home hazards, recommendations about home improvements, and appropriate referrals as needed. (This includes referrals for any needed adaptations, such as grab bars or railings.)

The nurse conducts an assessment of fall risk, including medical, behavioral and social risks for falls, teaches prevention, and refers for appropriate follow-up. A packet of information about fall prevention and local community resources is reviewed and left with each participant.

One- to two-month follow-up assessments have consistently shown that people are making changes to their homes as well as following through with nurse generated referrals. The seniors are very receptive to fire officials and nursing personnel entering their homes. In the six months following the pilot project, of the 100 participants, two people fell but sustained no injuries, two called 911 for emergencies unrelated to falls, one was admitted to a skilled nursing facility, and one person died.

For more information on this project, contact the Pima Council on Aging, 5055 E. Broadway, Suite C–104, Tucson, AZ 85711–3641 (520) 790–7262

A similar program has been conducted since 1999 in New Haven, Connecticut for individuals ages 65 and over. A home care nurse specialist conducts educational presentations to 1) increase awareness of injury prevention and potential hazards and risks; 2) engage participants in a dynamic, practical learning process that promotes risk reduction behavior and environmental modifications; and 3) identify residents 65 years and older who may benefit from home safety assessments.

The home care nurse performs home safety assessments to identify and correct home hazards by providing education and safety supplies. Safety supplies include bath mats, non-slip carpet backing, pot holders, night lights, medication containers, step stools, and smoke alarm batteries.

The nurse conducts follow-ups in person or through telephone contact to determine if any falls have occurred since the home safety assessment and if any additional hazard corrections have been made.

For more information about this program, contact the City of New Haven Department of Health, 54 Meadow Street, New Haven, CT 06519 (203) 946–8186

Group Fall Prevention Programs
The Southeast Idaho Council of Governments in Pcatello, Idaho has offered public presentations on falls in senior centers, complexes for the aging, and housing complexes for the disabled for ages 60 and older since 1998. A nurse brings health- and fall safety-related materials, conducts medication reviews, offers an exercise library, and conducts home assessments for fall hazards for seniors. The nurse also provides referrals to specific service providers.

For more information, contact the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging, 214 East Center, Box 6079, Pocatello, ID 83205–6079 (208) 233–4032 (ext. 17)