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An Investment In Aging a Fall Prevention Program

An Investment In Aging a Fall Prevention Program. Speakers Vince Caraffi, R.S., MPH Angela Townsend, R.S. Program Coordinator April Vince, LSW, MSAA Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Definition of a Fall.

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An Investment In Aging a Fall Prevention Program

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  1. An Investment In Aginga Fall Prevention Program Speakers Vince Caraffi, R.S., MPH Angela Townsend, R.S. Program Coordinator April Vince, LSW, MSAA Cuyahoga County Board of Health

  2. Definition of a Fall • Anyone inadvertently coming to rest on the ground or a lower level in absence of trauma and other overwhelming medical events.

  3. Fall related statistics • Incidence: one in three Americans over the age of 65 will suffer a fall each year • Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths for those seniors 65 and older • Falls account for 87% of all fractures in those seniors 65 and older Rubenstein 1998

  4. Risk Factors for Falls Medication Impaired vision Medical conditions Decreased strength Fear of falling Gait/balance issues Environment Age 65 older Living alone Tinetti 1994

  5. Costs Associated with Falls • Injuries • 30-50% of falls result in minor injuries • 10% result in major injuries (half of them are fractures) • Poor outcome of a hip fractures • Contributing factor in 35% of nursing home admissions • 15% die in hospital Rizzo 1998

  6. Financial Costs of Falls • Fall related injuries account for 6% of all medical injuries for persons age 65 and older in the United States • Medical expenditures in 2000 were estimated at 17 million dollars Campbell 2002

  7. Local Data Population 65 older LivingAlone Brooklyn11,5862,537 (21.9%) 390 (15.4%) Brook Park 21,218 3,628 (17.1%) 391 (10.8%) Parma 85,655 16,788 (19.6%) 2,283 (13.6%) Parma Hts. 21,659 5,436 (25.1%) 1,098 (20.2%) Seven Hills 12,080 3,116 (25.8%) 383 (12.3%) Total 152,198 31,505 (20.7%) 4545 (14.4%) 2000 Census

  8. Falls in Cuyahoga County • Cuyahoga County falls into the 90th percentile nationally among 307 counties with the highest numbers of deaths resulting from unintentional falls.

  9. Where do you Start?

  10. An Idea The easiest way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time • What would be the first step in creating a fall prevention program? • Which organization in your county/city is the one stop shop for health issues regarding seniors? • Are falls the most important public health issue concerning seniors?

  11. Results of the Initial Project • Since 2003 we have educated 2,000 seniors at risk of falling. Educational sessions are offered at senior centers, church groups, local YMCA’S. Sessions focus on eliminating the fear of falling and the risk factors attributed to fall related mortality and morbidity. • In addition to the educational sessions this office conducted 75 home visits identifying structural issues in the community dwellings of those seniors at risk. • The number of risk factors in the home consisted of lack of structural items; hand rails, grab bars, clutter and poor lighting. In addition we noted improper or no use of prescribed assistive devices, lack of socialization, poly-pharmacy and limited physical activity.

  12. Barriers Recruitment for home assessments. Financial means to make structural modifications to the home. Limited awareness in Cuyahoga County of the susceptibility and the severity of a fall related incident. Current educational settings did not motivate behavioral change. Successes Community buy-in. Family assistance to help those family members at risk of falling. Interest from additional communities and senior care organizations. An increased awareness regarding the lifestyles/behaviors of those seniors at risk of falling. A foundation for future growth. Review of Pilot Project

  13. Overcoming the Barriers • Recruitment • Working with DOD City of Gar. Hts, News media, City Newsletter, benefit of working with organizations with existing relationships and trust with the population being targeted. • Structural Modifications to Home • DOD, City of Cleveland Hts. Building Department willing to support structural improvements to homes. • Our initial project increased the awareness among communities. • Community leaders are requesting the same program for their constituents. • Matter of Balance • Motivating behavioral change.

  14. Partnerships • Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging • Local Seniors Centers • Local City Government (Parma, Garfield Hts., Cleveland Hts.) • Cuyahoga County Department of Development • Parma General Community Hospital • Jewish Community Federation • Fairhill Center on Aging

  15. Questions Contact Person April Vince, LSW,MSSA Program Manager 216-201-2001 ext. 1538

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