Preventing Falls Among Older Adults
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Transcript of Preventing Falls Among Older Adults
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Preventing Falls Among Older Adults
A Role forFirst Responders?
Created By:The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and WNY
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Enough about me….
1. Why did you become a firefighter?
2. Tell us about the living person over 65 you are most fond of.
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Why is prevention an important part of your job?
About your job....
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How frequently do you respond to first aid calls
involving an older adult who has fallen?
About your job....
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Today’s Goal
Explore how first-responders could play a role in preventing falls among older adults living
the community
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You are part of a community-wide
initiative to reduce the incidence of falls
among older adults
Bigger Picture
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Overview• Frequency of falls among older
adults
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Overview• Frequency of falls among older
adults• Consequences of falls
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Overview• Frequency of falls among older
adults• Consequences of falls• Causes of falls
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Overview• Frequency of falls among older
adults• Consequences of falls• Causes of falls• How to reduce risks of falling
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Overview• Frequency of falls among older
adults• Consequences of falls• Causes of falls• How to reduce risks of falling• What can first-responders do to
help?
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What is the leading cause of accidental injury & death among people 65 & older?
• Assault• Falls• Automobile accidents• Stampedes at early-bird
specials
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What is the leading cause of injury & death among people 65 & older?
• Assault• Falls• Automobile accidents• Stampedes at early-bird
specials
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Of people 65 & older, how many will have a fall this year?
• 1 in 10• 1 in 6• 1 in 3• All of them
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Of people 65 & older, how many will have a fall this year?
• 1 in 10• 1 in 6• 1 in 3• All of them
If 80 & older, then it’s 1 in 2.
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• 941• 1,941• 2,941• 3,941
How many emergency calls for falls did the BFD respond to in the last 12 months?
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• 941• 1,941• 2,941• 3,941
How many emergency calls for falls did the BFD respond to in the last 12 months?
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• 941• 1,941• 2,941• 3,941
How many emergency calls for falls did the BFD respond to in the last 12 months?
That’s a lot of time and resources!
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In Erie County, how many people 65 & older were treated & released from an ED due to fall injuries in 2005?
• 583• 3,742• 4,628• 5,149
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In Erie County, how many people 65 & older were treated & released from and ED due to fall injuries in 2005?
• 583• 3,742• 4,628• 5,149
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Average charge for treatment & release at ED in 2005?
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Average charge for treatment & release at ED in 2005?
$812What other costs would be
added to this?
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In Erie County, from 2003 - 2005
An average of 3,000 people 65 & older were admitted to the hospital each year for injuries due to falls.
What was the average cost per hospitalization for each of these 3,000 people?
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Average cost per hospitalization
$16, 417Almost $5 million per year
for hospitalization due to falls.
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Consequences of Falls
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Consequences of Falls
Physical & Quality of Life Effects
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Consequences of Falls
Physical & Quality of Life Effects• Hip fractures (85% are due to falls)
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Consequences of Falls
Physical & Quality of Life Effects• Hip fractures (85% are due to falls)• Head injuries
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Consequences of Falls
Physical & Quality of Life Effects• Hip fractures (85% are due to falls)• Head injuries• Temporary or permanent disability –
loss of mobility and/or independence
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Consequences of Falls
Physical & Quality of Life Effects• Hip fractures (85% are due to falls)• Head injuries• Temporary or permanent disability –
loss of mobility and/or independence• Increased admission to nursing homes
or other long-term care
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional• Depression
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional• Depression• Fear/anxiety about falling
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional• Depression• Fear/anxiety about falling• More burden on family/caregivers
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional• Depression• Fear/anxiety about falling• More burden on family/caregivers• Feeling helpless
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Consequences of Falls
Psychological & Emotional• Depression• Fear/anxiety about falling• More burden on family/caregivers• Feeling helpless• May have to give up favorite activities
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)• Poor vision or hearing
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)• Poor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (canes & walkers)
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)• Poor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (canes & walkers)• Poor nutrition -> weakness, dizziness, fainting
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)• Poor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (canes & walkers)• Poor nutrition -> weakness, dizziness, fainting• Medications
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Human Factors• Mobility problems (poor physical condition,
muscle weakness & poor balance)• Chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis &
stroke)• Poor vision or hearing• Mobility aids (canes & walkers)• Poor nutrition -> weakness, dizziness, fainting• Medications• Alcohol
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Environmental Factors
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Environmental Factors• Uneven sidewalks
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Environmental Factors• Uneven sidewalks• Ice
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Causes of Falls Among Older Adults
Environmental Factors• Uneven sidewalks• Ice• Hazards around the house:
– Clutter– Electrical cords– Poor lighting– Loose throw rugs– Broken stairs / handrails
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Reducing the Risk Factors for Falls
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Reducing the Risk Factors for Falls
• Regular physical activity to improve muscle strength, balance and coordination
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Reducing the Risk Factors for Falls
• Regular physical activity to improve muscle strength, balance and coordination
• Review of medications
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Reducing the Risk Factors for Falls
• Regular physical activity to improve muscle strength, balance and coordination
• Review of medications• Vision checked regularly
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Reducing the Risk Factors for Falls
• Regular physical activity to improve muscle strength, balance and coordination
• Review of medications• Vision checked regularly• Make the home safer (brochure)
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What can first-responders do to help?
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Thank you for all you do!