Setting up a falls prevention program
- 1. Setting Up A Falls Prevention Program By : Merce Veneracion , PT , CCI
- 2. “Effective interventions can prevent falls”
- 3. • Provide strategies for developing partnerships • Provide information on building the infrastructure needed to implement effective programs • Suggest approaches to improving program implementation • Provide methods for evaluating programs • Suggest ways to promote programs • Provide resources and strategies to increase sustainability The Purpose Of Having a Falls Prevention Program
- 4. Steps • Determine the burden of the facility or the community such as data • How much support for starting the falls prevention program will have at all levels of the organization ? • What are the current goals of the organization in providing care to the elderly ? • What are the current programs being offered in your organization ? • What are the existing community resources ? • Who will be the champions and team players?
- 5. Implementation • Are there program and training manuals available ? • Can the program be implemented with fidelity in your setting ? • Does the program offer strategies for linking participants and the program itself with healthcare professionals as needed? • Does the program include methods of maintaining fidelity over time? • Does the program include easy to administer pre and post test to document improvements in participants’ functional abilities? ( such as TUG , Timed Up and Go test )
- 6. How to Determine Readiness • Is there a buy-in from leadership? • Is initial funding available to implement the program ? • Is the organization committed to implementing an evidenced - based program with fidelity ? • Are trained personnel available to offer the program ? • Do we know how we will sustain the program ? • Have we thought of potential long term financing strategies including public and private funding? • Can we leverage existing models for delivering a fall prevention program ?
- 7. The Importance of Partnerships • It helps with continuation of care • It makes the program more comprehensive , effective and less costly • It can channel more referral source for the program • The partnership should be mutually beneficial and both share the same mission of improving health and safety for older adults and reducing falls .
- 8. Considerations • Which program fits the organization? • Does the program compliment the other existing programs? • Is there a population for the program ? • Do we have the trained personnel to implement the program? • Are there costs associated to it such as space, licensing,transportation , and equipments? • Will the program have education on falls prevention? • Does the program promote falls prevention confidence among the participants? • Does the program address modifiable risk factors? • Can it be tailored to differing abilities of the participants? • Are the exercises progressive?
- 9. Examples of Community Programs • Area Agencies on Aging • Emergency Medical Services • Faith based and parish nurse services programs • Health care organizations that provide individual health care and home based services • Home based services ( home health ) • Hospital outpatient and community programs • Independent living , residential housing and senior housing facilities • Non profit organizations • Recreation facilities
- 10. Re evaluation of the Program • Have we attracted the right audience? • Are we enrolling the right number of people with the right number of personnel? • Are we retaining the participants in the program once they enroll?
- 11. Target Audience • Who are they? • Where do they live? • What is important to them ? Patient and family goals? Ask- Tell - Ask approach • How do they get their information ? • Any barriers ? Such as literacy and language barriers
- 12. Who Can Help ? • Local providers such as , Physicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and community health workers
- 13. Program Quality • Developing a Quality Assurance program is important • It provides credibility especially for funders and other stakeholders • QA should address program fidelity and continuous quality improvement • Fidelity means it must retain the key elements that made the intervention effective . It should be delivered consistently by all personnel in across sites and following the original design.
- 14. Continuous Quality Improvement • Planning ( SMART goals ) , • Monitoring • Evaluation and Re evaluations and • Revisions A CQI Needs :
- 15. Evidenced- Based Falls Prevention Programs •A Matter of Balance •CAPABLE •Enhance Fitness •Fit and Strong •Healthy Steps in Motion •Healthy Steps for Older Adults •Otago Exercise Program •Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) •Stepping ON •Stay Safe , Stay Active •Tai Chi for Arthritis •YMCA Moving for Better Balance
- 16. Thank You