Fall Prevention – Shawnee Co., Kansas

1. Fall Prevention – Shawnee Co., Kansas Original Developed by Crawford County Age Well

2. Objectives • Increase awareness of fall risk factors • Evaluate fear of falling • Reduce fall risk • Introduce Falling Less In Kansas toolkit & Addendum

3. A Fall Defined • Sudden, unintentional change in position causing an individual to land at a lower level, on an object, the floor, or the ground, other than as a consequence of sudden onset of paralysis, epileptic seizure, or overwhelming external force

4. Fall Facts • Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in people 65 and older • 50% of falls happen in the home • 2 out of 3 people who have fallen fear falling again • Fall chances increase as the number of risk factors increase • Targeting many risk factors works better than targeting just one

5. More Fall Facts • People with foot problems have twice the risk of falling • 30% of adults 65+ report foot problems • As we age, changes in nerves and muscles can impair ability to walk or react to sudden balance losses and changes • Balance problems increase the risk of falling 4 to 5 times

6. More Fall Facts • The environment contributes to falls • Uneven sidewalks • No handrails on stairs • Diseases affect balance and can double fall risk • Arthritis • Diabetes • Parkinson’s Disease • Alzheimer’s Disease

7. More Fall Facts • Memory, attention, language or decision making problems increase the risk of falling • Carrying something like a purse, laundry basket or grocery bag, can cause falls • Falls can be prevented!

8. Falling Less In Kansas • FREE Toolkit • Falls Awareness and Prevention Strategies for Adults, The Falling LinKS Toolkit, Wichita State University, Regional Institute on Aging, 2013

9. For Individuals Who Use Assistive Devices • People who use walkers and canes need upper and lower body strength to safely use their assistive devices and avoid falls. • The assistive device addendum provides safe exercises for individuals who use assistive devices. Developed by Topeka Community of Care, Summer 2017

10. Reasons For Falls • Decreased physical activity • Certain medications • Poor vision • Hazards in the home

11. Physical Activity

12. Physical Activity Benefits • Helps improve physical strength and balance • Reduces risk of falling • Lots of ways to be physically active • Walking • Gardening • Dancing

13. Exercise Benefits • Helps with strength and balance • Improves health • Reduces risk of falling • Easier to be active independently • It is good for everyone!

14. Physical Activity & Exercise • Simple exercises can be done at home • Many fitness clubs offer exercise classes • Community programs (Parks & Rec) may also offer programs • Exercises in the Falling Less Kansas Toolkit & Addendum • Yellow = Basic exercises • Orange = Advanced exercises

15. Safety First • Check with healthcare provider • Stop exercising and call if you experience • Pain • Dizziness • Trouble Breathing • Feel Sick • Maintain proper posture to avoid injury • Follow safety instructions

16. Safety Tips • Have a sturdy chair near when doing standing position activities • Exercise on non-skid floor • Dry • Clutter-Free • Wear non-slip shoes • Go slow between exercises

17. What To Expect • Mild muscle soreness! • If more than mild, decrease the intensity of the activity or exercise • If lasts more than 3 days, contact your healthcare team

18. Medications

19. Medications Can Increase Fall Risk • Falls are one of the most common side effects • Taking more than 4 medications per day may increase fall risk

20. Reducing Medication Risk • Discuss medications with healthcare team at least once every year • Take all prescriptions, in the original containers, to appointments • Ask if medications might increase your fall risk • If yes, ask if safer medication options exist

21. Reducing Medication Risk • Make and keep a complete list of all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (including herbals) • Keep up-to-date medication list on refrigerator • It is easy to find in an emergency

22. Taking Medications • Take medications exactly as directed • Report side effects to your healthcare team • Know why you are taking each medication • Know the possible side effects of each medication • Do not take expired medications • Never take medications in the dark • Get to know your pharmacist

23. Storing Medications • Keep your medications in the same place • Do not mix your medications with those of other members of the family • Keep medications away from children • Properly dispose of medications no longer using

24. FREE Resources File of Life Vial of Life www.vialoflife.com • www.folife.org

25. Vision

26. Vision Problems Can Increase Fall Risk • Blurry vision, glare, going from light to dark and poor depth perception • Affect balance • Low Vision, another term to describe reduction in sharpness, loss of side vision, or reduced contrast

27. Reducing Vision Risk • See an eye doctor annually for a vision screening • Around the house • Keep furniture and household items in the same place • Keep cabinet doors closed or open (pick one) • Use contrasting tape on thresholds, steps and coffee tables

28. Reducing Vision Risk • In the bathroom • Use a dimmer switch to control glare when bathing • Use contrast tape on the edge of the bathtub • Use colored, non-skid mat or strips on the bottom of the bathtub • Use towels that contrast with the wall • Use contrasting toilet seat covers and tissue boxes

29. Home Safety

30. Common Home Fall Risks • Poorly lit stairways • Slick floors • Throw (scatter) rugs • Loose carpet • Electrical wires and/or cords on the floor • No handrails on stairs • Clutter

31. Fall Proof Your Home • Little or No Cost • Non-slip mats in laundry and bath areas • Adequate space to move around furniture • Remove wheels from furniture • Remove/Repair unstable furniture • Adjust chair and bed height • Lights in hallways • Mark doorway thresholds • Use the TV remote • Fluorescent tape on edges of steps

32. Fall Proof Your Home • Moderate Cost Modifications • Add ceiling lights • Install motion/sound activated lights • Move electrical outlets and switches so they are easy to reach • Install a phone on each floor • Purchase heavy furniture that will not tip over • Install assistive devices • Install electronic emergency response system • Install lamps turned on by switches near room entries • Install bars on the sides of bed

33. Erasing Your Risk

34. Falling Less In Kansas • Assess your risk in each area • Physical Activity or Exercise • Medications • Vision • Home Safety • Make plans and take action using the Falling Less in Kansas toolkit

35. Assistive Device Safety

36. Cane Safety • Adjust cane for height with hand grip level with wrist crease when arm is at side • Use cane in hand opposite to the affected or weaker leg. Move it forward with weaker leg. • Replace rubber tip at end of cane when it becomes worn • Walk with legs wider apart when walking on slopes/ramps • On the stairs or curb: • Step up with stronger leg first • Step down with weaker leg first • See tip sheet for additional information

37. Walker Safety • Adjust walker for height with hand grips level with wrist crease when arm is at side • Push up from chair when rising to stand. Do not pull on the walker. • Keep yourself upright (avoid stooping) and don’t let the walker get too far in front of you. • Renew rubber tips, glides, or tennis balls on the back legs of walker when they become worn. • When stepping up on a curb, put all four legs of walker up 1st • Use brakes if your walker has them! • See tip sheet for additional information

38. Pre and Post Assessment • Thank you for taking the Fear of Falling Self-Assessment. • To understand how beneficial this program is we would like to contact you in 3 months to do a Post-Program Self Assessment. • You may be contacted via email to take the survey or receive a paper survey for completion. • We appreciate your participation.

39. Thank you and stay safe!