Falls Prevention

ACHIEVA HEALTH Falls Prevention Program will improve the Residents’ strength, balance and mobility and prevent falls by implementing positive and effective treatment strategies. Residents will benefit from exercises and techniques that will improve their quality of life and increase their confidence to ambulate and transfer safely.

An inter-professional collaborative approach to care is essential for a successful program. ACHIEVA HEALTH will provide education to staff, residents and families about the Falls Prevention Program which is a critical component for a successful outcome.

Falls Prevention Program

  • Reduce falls in your LTC Home.

  • Improve Resident’s mobility and function.

  • Improve Resident’s self confidence and well being.

  • Improve Resident’s quality of life.

  • Make caregivers jobs more rewarding!

Encourage Residents to

  • Wear footwear with rubber sole shoes.

  • Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove but not loose and dragging on the floor.

  • Use canes, walkers and wheelchairs properly.

  • Keep mobility devices within arms reach.

  • Change positions slowly to avoid orthostatic hypotension, dizziness and prevent falls.

  • Participate in a Falls Prevention Program.

  • Ambulate around the LTC Home.

  • Perform strength and balance exercises.

  • Participate in their own care.

Tips for Health Care Workers

  • Know the Residents’ goals, abilities and limitations.

  • Be consistent in care and approach.

  • Place items such as call bells within reach.

  • Facilitate positive feedback which will increase Residents’ confidence.

Falls Statistics

  • Over 50% of Long Term Care Residents will fall each year & 40% will fall two or more times.

  • Residents who fall are very susceptible to injury and hospitalization.

  • Falls can lead to hip fracture, which will negatively impact health.

  • A hip fracture often results in diminished quality of life, pain and disability.

  • Less than 15% of LTC residents who sustain a hip fracture ever regain pre-injury ambulation status & approximately half are never functional walkers again.

  • Many falls can be prevented through assessment of risk and implementing individualized interventions.

  • Restraints increase the risk of falls and injury severity.

  • Studies show that getting help quickly after a fall can reduce the risk of hospitalization by 26%.

Tips for Walkers and Wheelchairs

  • Proper use of walking aids are important for prevent falls. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and is essential for cardiovascular training, maintenance of balance and coordination, and the prevention of falls.

  • Education of Staff, Residents and Families about Falls Prevention Strategies and the proper use of walking aids is critical.

Walking with different gait patterns

Parkinson’s

characterized by forward bent posture and slow, shuffling gait

Gait Techniques:

  • Encourage a wide base of support

  • Use rhythmic techniques

  • Provide rests after certain distances

  • Encourage consistent and predicable breaks

  • Encourage pursed-lip breathing techniques

Stroke

characterized by paralysis, spasticity, poor balance and instability.

Gait Techniques:

  • Promote activities that strengthen the affected side

  • Promote use of a quad cane or other mobility device to encourage walking

  • Alternate walking and periods with rest periods

  • Promote balance exercises with resting breaks

Arthritis 

characterized by fatigue, decreased range of motion, and loss of strength and endurance.

Gait Techniques:

  • Alternate activity periods with rest periods

  • Promote the use of a mobility aid to increase endurance

  • Manage pain with modalities and techniques that decrease stress on the joints

Joint Replacement 

characterized by decreased Range of Motion and Strength

Gait Techniques:

  • Restore Strength, Balance and Range of Motion

  • Progress from feather weight-bearing, to full weight-bearing walking

  • Use a mobility aid as required

  • Increase endurance and greater walking distance

Mobility Devices

Canes

  • Widen the “base of support”

  • Held in the opposite hand to affected leg

  • Top of cane should reach the crease of wrist with a slight bend in the elbow

Walkers

  • Offer stability and security

  • Top of walker should reach the crease of wrist with a slights bend in the elbow

When Using A Mobility Device

  • Promote good posture (stand up straight with eyes looking forward NOT downward).

  • Encourage the Resident to walk slowly

  • Remind the Resident to stand safely (i.e. not using the walker to pull themselves up)

  • Monitor the device for wear and tear (brakes, wheels, handles).

For more information about our Falls Prevention Program

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