fall ion winter 2011

8/8/2019 Fall ion Winter 2011

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fall-ion-winter-2011 1/29

Preventing Falls, Fractures and

Broken Bones in Elders

presented by

Ijeoma OranefoJanuary 19, 2011



Elderly Fall

arthritisfoundationwpa.wordpress.com



Introduction

Falls are serious at any age, and

breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as a person

ages. The fracture limits the

person¶s activities and sometimesrequires surgery.



Causes of Elderly Falls

Lack of physical activity

Impaired vision.

Medications.

Diseases.

Surgeries

Environmental hazards.

Marlo Sollitto



physical activity



Why is elderly fall a concern?

Falls are the leading cause of death, injury

and hospital admissions among the elderly

population. In fact, one out of every three

seniors falls every year. more than 1.6

million seniors were treated in emergency

rooms for fall-related injuries.



Healthy people 2020 Goal OAHP2020±1

R educe the proportion of older adults who

have moderate to severe functional

limitations. OAHP2020±8

Increase the proportion of older adults with

reduced physical or cognitive function whoengage in light, moderate, or vigorous

leisure-time physical activities



Healthy people 2020 Goal

cont¶d OAHP2020±9

R educe the rate of emergency department

visits due to falls among older adults.



National statistic

According to CDC

In 2009, 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries

among older adults were treated in

emergency departments and more than

581,000 of these patients were hospitalized.

In 2007, over 18,000 older adults died fromunintentional fall injuries.



National statistic cont¶d

In 2000, direct medical costs of falls totaled

a little over $19 billion²$179 million for

fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal fall

injuries.5



Michigan statistic

Between 1990 and 2004, the age-adjusted death

rate due to elderly falls nearly doubled, from 20.2

to 38.3 per 100,000. In 2004, falls caused 79% of hospitalizations for

injury among Michigan residents aged 65 and

older. Most of the injuries sustained were

fractures, specifically, hip fractures

27% of Michigan seniors reported falling

within the past 12 months.



Local statistic

in 2002 Detroit has 69.7% of unintentional

fall among residents between the age of 65

and above.

www.michigan.gov/documents/MI_Injury_Hospitalization_2002_126520_7.pdf



R ole of PublicHealth/Community Health

Nurses

Setting

The public health/ community health

nurse will teach and create awareness

within the community, St John R iverview

senior program, and hospital the

importance of fall safety in relation to ahealthy lifestyle.



R ole of Public

Health/Community Health

Nurses setting Cont.

The audience are seniors attending St John

R iverview senior program, and Detroit senior

residents.As well as any one in the community.



Preventions

Primary level:

Early identification of seniors at risk for fall Identifying the predisposing factors that expose

them to fall.

Educate the population about the causes of falls.

.



How to Prevent Seniors from

Falling Be Physically Active

Have Medicines R eviewed

Have Blood Pressure Checked When Lying

and Standing

Get a Vision Check-up

Choose Safe Footwear



Preventions S econdary level:

Diagnose for injuries at the onset

Schedule screening programsSupply the community with available resources

where they can get further help.



Preventions cont.T ertiary Care Prevention:

Seniors will be educated on how to manage fall

related injuries to avoid complications of fallsrelated injuries.

R einforce the importance of compliance with thetreatment regimen.



Core functions of PublicH

ealth Assessment:

± Detroit Senior residents attending St John

R iverview senior program

± Assess the need for fall prevention among the

senior residents.




ealth policy development:

± C/PHN will collaborate with law makers and

management of the program to develop

appropriate, adequate, standards, and

acceptable health care service for fall

prevention among the seniors.

± Advocate on behalf of the community and refer

them to source of assistance.




ealth Policy development (Cont.):

CHN may suggest to the management to

encourage the seniors to ± Install safety bars, grab bars or handrails in the

shower or bath at home.

± Make sure their rooms have adequate lighting,

and consider motion-sensitive lights that comeon when a person enters a room.



Intervention cont. To wipe up spills and remove broken glass

immediately. To wear non-slip shoes or slippers, rather

than walking around in stocking feet.

To make sure rugs, including those onstairs, are tacked to the floor.

To be sure that stairwells are well-lit to aid

vision. Not to have electrical cords trailing across

the floor. And to have additional base plugs

installed so long cords are not necessary.




ealth Assurance:

± To improve the quality of healthcarefor senior residents.

± R efer patients to community

resources where they can get further assistance.

fall ion winter 2011

Documents