Texas Falls PreventionTexas Falls Prevention Awareness WeekAwareness Week

Promotional Tool KitPromotional Tool Kit

September 20September 20 -- 24, 201024, 2010

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Falls Prevention Awareness Week -------September 20-24, 2010 The Texas Falls Prevention Coalition prepared this packet with several resources for Area Agencies on Aging, community partners and coalition members to plan activities to promote Falls Prevention Awareness Week. This packet will provide suggestions for activities, marketing, examples (flyers, pamphlets, brochures) and websites links to help in planning and promoting events. Each day of the week will focus on specific risk factors that may contribute to and/or decrease falls among the aging population. Monday - Physical Activity Promote the importance of increasing daily physical activity to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance. Tuesday- Home Safety Promote the importance of making the home a falls free environment. Wednesday- Medication Management Promote the importance of managing medication and knowing the interactions with each other when taking multiple medications. Thursday- Family Awareness Promote awareness of falls prevention and educate family members of individuals who may or may not have had a fall. Friday- A Matter of Balance or Other Falls Prevention Programs Promote the award winning evidence-based program, AMOB, or other falls prevention programs. AMOB reduces the fear of falling through group discussion, problem-solving strategies and increasing the physical activity levels of those who have concerns about falls.

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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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LocalGyms

SolicitlocalgymstohavefreeclassesforseniorsonMondayorduringtheentireweek.AskpermissiontodisplayTFPC‐AMOBbrochuresandotherfalls‐relatedinformationalpamphletsatthefacility.

• Gold’sGym• 24HourFitness• World’sGym• BallyTotalFitness• Curves• YMCA/YWCA

AMOBClassesConductdemonstrationsessionsofAMOBclassesincludingsampleoftheexercises.TexerciseRequestTexercisemanualstopassouttoparticipantstostartexercisinginthehome.PhysicalActivitiesExamplesInvitephysicalactivityinstructorstoseniorcenters,independentlivingcenters,retirementcommunities,etc.todemonstrateavarietyofexercisesandprovideeducationontheimportanceofexercisingdaily.

• TaiChi• ArthritisExerciseProgram• SilverSneakers

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HOME SAFETY

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Senior Centers September is National Senior Center Month. Contact the senior centers in your area and ask if you can help organize a Senior Home Safety Fair for the senior center participants. You can distribute falls prevention resources like the Home Safety Checklist available on www.healthyagingprograms.com or www.cdc.gov/injury. Plan a demonstration of common hazards (how many can you spot?), and invite local professionals with home safety knowledge to speak or provide additional materials and resources.

Homebound Older Adults Partner with a local “Meals on Wheels” organization and have the Home Safety Checklist and other falls prevention materials delivered to each client along with their meal.

Local Chain and Mom/Pop Stores Solicit local stores to set-up “end caps” or a display of products that can be used in the home for prevention of falls and/or safety. Have AMOB coaches man an informational table by the “end cap” or display several days during the week, but especially Tuesday. Ask Home Depot or Lowes to hold “Do it Yourself” classes geared towards making the home safe (installing grab bars, etc.) A list of some products that can be promoted:

• Motion activated lights • Daily timers for lights • Indoor/outdoor lighting • Grab bars • Non-skid bath mats, strips

• Remote controls • Extension cord ties • Reach sticks • Night-lights

Stores (just a few):

• Lowes • The Home Depot • True Value • Neighborhood Store • Walmart • Target • K-Mart • Sears • Bed Bath and Beyond

Local Builders/Handymen Contact local builders or handymen that would be able to help in installing products.

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MEDICATION MANAGMENT

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LocalPharmacies

Solicitpharmaciestoarrangeadisplayofbrochuresandinformationrelatedtomanagingmedicationintermsoffallsprevention.

• AttachAMOBinformationtoprescriptionbags• Handout<‐madetwowordsmedicationbookletsforindividualstokeeptrackof

medicationsandencourageolderadultstotakeittotheirprimarycareprovidertocheckmedicationinteractions

• Askpharmaciestoofferandpromotea“brownbag”reviewofmedicationsforolderadultsattheirstore

• Askpharmaciststovisitseniorcenters,parksandrecreationcenters,malls,etc.toconductamedicationscheckclinic

BrownBagSessionsNCOAinpartnershipwithCVSPharmacydevelopedthe“PackYourBag”medicationconsultationprogramforolderadults.TheprogramisavailablenationwidetoseniorcenterslocatedwithinfivemilesofaCVS/pharmacystorelocation.SeniorscanalsovisittheirlocalCVSforapersonalconsultationwithapharmacist.TofindtheCVS/pharmacynearestyou,call1‐800‐SHOP‐CVSorvisitwww.CVS.com.

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FAMILY AWARENESS

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IntergenerationalActivitiesPromoteandplanactivitiesthattheyoungesttotheoldestpersoncanattendandenjoytogether.Forexample,createacoloringbookthatgrandchildrencancompletewiththeirgrandparentsthatpromotesawarenessoffallriskhazardsinandaroundthehome.HealthFair/FamilyFunFest

• Planawellnessfestivalforolderadultsandtheirfamilies.StartwithafreeyogaorTaiChidemonstration,andpartnerwithalocalhealthcareprovidertoofferfoot,cholesterol,osteoporosis,bloodpressure,vision,orhearingscreenings.Havehealthysnacksonhandandanutritionistwhocanoffertips.Tiegoodhealthtofallsprevention.

• Plananintergenerationalplaydatetobeheldataconvenientlocationforolderadultsandtheirfamilies.Contactalocalparents’grouporadvertiseatthelibrary,playground,etc.NationalGrandparent’sDayisSeptember12thandisagreatopportunitytoraiseawarenessabouttheuniquebondbetweengenerations.Usetheeventtoeducategrandparentsandchildrenaboutfallspreventionandawareness.Formoreinformationvisitwww.grandparents‐day.com.

Caregivers

• Asklocalchurchesandhumanserviceorganizationstodistributeinformationouttocaregiverstoeducatethemabouttheimportanceoffallspreventionfortheonesforwhomtheycare.AreaAgenciesonAginghaveCaregiverSupportProgramsandmaybeagoodpartnerinprovidingmaterialstotheseindividuals.

Seminars

• Conductseminarsatchurches• PresentseminarsatParksandRecreationcenters

HandsonDemonstrations

• Presenthomesafetyworkshopsatparks,localstores,retirementhomes,andseniorcentersgearedtowardfamilies.EngagechildrenofappropriateagestoconductaHomeSafetyCheckfortheirgrandparentsorolderneighbor.

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A MATTER OF BALANCE

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AMatterofBalanceorotherfallspreventionprogram

• Promotelocallyinnewspapers,onTV,radioPSA• DisplayTFPCstatewidebrochureinplacesfrequentedbyolderadults• HandouttheAMOBflyerathealthfairs,churches,hospitals,seniorcenters,parksand

recreationcenters,etc.• Contactlocalphysicians,OT’s,PT’s,nurses,andhospitalstopromotetheprogramand

createapartnership• Holdsampleclasses• Conductinformationsessionswitholderpersonsaswellasthedirectorsofagencies

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MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS

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Local Media Promote falls prevention activities through

• Paid advertising or public service announcements (PSA) • Your agency newsletter or flyer insert • Partner newsletters, article or flyer insert • Community calendars i.e., newspaper, television, websites, etc. • Local television stations, public television stations’ community calendars • Websites, links from your partners’ websites • E-mail or call your local television stations for a spot on their morning or noon broadcast

regarding “Falls Prevention Week” • Publicizing your scheduled classes for the month or the remainder of the year. • Publicize scheduled volunteer coaches training and/or meetings for volunteer coaches

Sample spot for TV community information/calendar In celebration of “Falls Prevention Week” September 21 – 25, 2009 the (organization name) will be providing information on the A Matter of Balance (MOB) program (or other fall prevention program) and other scheduled activities for the week. MOB is a falls prevention program geared to persons age 60 and over who have fallen or have a fear of falling (or information about other falls prevention programs). If you or your loved one would like additional information "contact name", the Program Developer at "number".

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Sample webpage (courtesy of the Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend)

Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend

Have you or someone you know fallen? In celebration of “Falls Prevention Week ” September 21-25, 2009 and Keeping Texans Standing Tall, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of the Coastal Bend will be conducting A Matter of Balance (MOB) sessions throughout the Coastal Bend Region. AAA is committed in providing public awareness, education and resources to promote and implement the evidence based MOB program. The MOB program helps reduce risk factors of falls and injuries in older adults. It is reported that falls are a major public health issue among adults age 65 and older. One-third of all older Texans age 65 and over will fall each year and of those who fall 70% require emergency medical care and 40% require nursing home care. Designed by Boston University, “A Matter of Balance”, an award-winning program, is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falling. The MOB program utilizes volunteer coaches to teach the eight two-hour sessions that draws on principles of adult learning to change participant’s behavior and to sustain changes long after the sessions have been completed. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, as well as learn to set realistic goals for increasing activity. Participants also learn how to change their environment to reduce fall risk factors in and out of the home. The program promotes exercise as a way to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.

Do you know someone who: • Is concerned about falls • Have sustained a fall in the past • Restrict activities because of concerns about falling • Is interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength • Is age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem-solve If so, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you regarding our next scheduled A Matter of Balance session. Contact: Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend 361 883-3935 ext. 260 1-800-817-5743 We are waiting for your call

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Falls Prevention Week September 21-25, 2009 Sample Press Release

Oneoutofthreeseniorcitizenswillfallthisyear.Fallsarethemajorcontributingfactorto40%ofallnursinghomeadmissions.Fallscostournation$19billiondollarsannuallyandthisdoesn’treflecttheemotional,psychologicalandcatastrophiceventsthatareimposedonfamilyandcaregivers.About50%ofthoseseniorcitizenswhofallwillfallagain.InTexas,fallrelatedhospitalchargesaccountforover$508milliondollars.Statewidethemostcommoncauseofhospitalizationwasaspecifiedfall(trip,slip,orstumble).

Becauseofthesestartlingstatistics,GovernorRickPerrysignedHouseBill703intolaw,creatingFallsPreventionAwarenessWeektobeheldSeptember21‐25. Thebillrecommendsprogramsandpoliciesbedevelopedtopromotereductionoffallsandcreateanincreaseinfallpreventionawareness.

TheTexasFallsPreventionCoalition(TFPC)hasbeencoordinatingandplanningstatewideeventstopromotefallpreventionawarenesstoinformallTexansaboutthisimportantissue.TFPC,foundedin2007,iscomprisedoftheAreaAgenciesonAging,communitypartners,hospitals,andotherstatewidestakeholdersutilizingthefallpreventionmodel,AMatterofBalance.

Thisprogramconsistsofeightinteractivesessionsthatareofferedatnocosttoolderadults.Theclassescantakeplaceinvarioussettingssuchas,seniorcenters,recreationcenters,adultlivingfacilities,andclinics.Theprogramisaimedathelpingolderadultsconquerthefearoffalling,increasetheirphysicalactivity,andreducefallhazardsintheirhome.

FallsPreventionAwarenesscarriesoutthemessageofKeepingTexansStandingTall.Thegoalistoincreaseawarenessoftheimportanceofpreventingfallsamongolderadultsbyengaginginhealthpromotionanddiseasepreventionactivities.EachdayofFallsPreventionWeekwillfocusonprovenmethodstoreducefalls.Thesemethodsinclude:PhysicalActivity,HomeSafety,MedicationManagementandReview,andFamilyAwareness.RepresentativePatrickRosewillholdakick‐offpressconferencefromtheCapitolSeptember21,2009at10:00am.

Thisisagreatopportunitytoagewellandcontinuetobeindependent.Formoreinformationabouttheclassesorevents,pleasecontact:the(nameoforganization)_____________

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Article‐MedicationScreeningDay(September23)

FallsPreventionAwarenessWeek(September20‐26)isaffordingolderadults,theirfamiliesandcaregivers,manyopportunitiestolearnabouttheincidencesandrisksoffalls.TheobservanceoccurseachyearstartingonthefirstdayofFall,thankstoabillsignedintolawbyGovernorRickPerry.

TheTexasFallsPreventionCoalitionisactivelyworkingtoeducatepeopleabouttheriskoffallsandtoreduceincidence.TheCoalitionwasformedin2007andiscomprisedofTexasAreaAgenciesonAging,communitypartnersandstatewidestakeholderswhoseprimaryfunctionistocoordinatethestatewideevidence‐basedfallspreventionprogram,AMatterofBalance.

WithineachMatterofBalanceclass,participantshavetheopportunitytoexplorethemanyfactorsthatmaycontributetotheirriskoffalling.Inadditiontopersonalconditionsthatmaycontribute,suchasmuscleweakness,poorbalance,flexibility,andendurance,participantsalsoconsiderexternalfactorssuchasmedications,shoes,walkers,andhouseholdhazards.Anindividualcanbeplacedatahigherriskforfallsbytakingfourormoreprescriptionmedications,aconditionknownas“polypharmacy”.

TheCenterforDiseaseControlsuggests,“Haveyourdoctororpharmacistlookatallthemedicinesyoutake—includingonesthatdon’tneedprescriptionssuchascoldmedicines.Asyougetolder,thewaysomemedicinesworkinyourbodycanchange.Somemedicines,orcombinationsofmedicines,canmakeyoudrowsyorlight‐headedwhichcanleadtoafall.”

Dr.MichaelLichtenstein,ProfessorofMedicineandChiefoftheDivisionofGeriatrics,GerontologyandPalliativeMedicineatUTHealthScienceCenteratSanAntonio,said,“Themorecomplexthemedicationregimen,thegreatertheriskforadversedruginteractionsandsideeffects.Sothegoalshouldbethesimplestmedicationregimen(fewestmedications)withthelowesteffectivedoseforeach.”

Numeroussourcesreportbalanceproblemsforindividualsusingavarietyofpsychotropicmedications.Anexamplewouldbetakingabenzodiazepineforanxietyalongwithananti‐depressant.Dr.Lichtensteinsummarizes,“Ingeneral,butnotalways,thegreatestriskiswhenanewmedicationisintroducedintoaregimenordosesareincreasedtoorapidly.Personsshouldstrivetomakeonlyonechangeatatimetobeabletojudgetheimpactoftheadjustmentontheperson.Drugwithdrawalmaybeanimportantissuewithsomemedications.Changingthetimingofadosageisnotasrisky,ifthepersonisalreadytakingthemedicationswithoutproblems.”

In“GuidelineforthePreventionofFallsinOlderPersons”,theAmericanGeriatricsSocietywrote,“Fallsgenerallyresultfromaninteractionofmultipleanddiverseriskfactorsandsituations,manyofwhichcanbecorrected.Thisinteractionismodifiedbyage,disease,andthepresenceofhazardsintheenvironment.Frequently,olderpeoplearenotawareoftheir

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risksoffalling,anddonotrecognizeriskfactorsorreporttheseissuestotheirphysicians.Consequently,opportunitiesforpreventionoffallingareoftenoverlooked,withrisksbecomingevidentonlyafterinjuryanddisabilityhaveoccurred.”Agoodstarttoidentifyriskoffallingandtoreduceriskistospeakwithyourhealthcareprofessional.

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Possible Activity (courtesy of Mary Ann Contreras)

Falls Prevention Week 2009 Planning for Intervention

Goal: A multidisciplinary approach to falls prevention in the home. Preparation: Gather key professionals together with an interest in senior safety/falls prevention. Consideration to core medical professionals such as RN’s, Pharmacists, Gerontology, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Otologists, and Public Health professionals should be given. Other interested providers include Area Agencies on Aging, home safety consultants, home improvement experts, and engineers. Be familiar with the CDC and other expert knowledge regarding home safety recommendations. Contact your organization’s PR/media relation person to involve the local press/media as a community outreach and information activity. Have a supply of various pamphlets with information on home safety, fall prevention, local resources for exercise and classes. Develop an evaluation tool to be left and completed post visit. Bring a sign in sheet for participants and the senior citizens. Bring a camera and all necessary authorization forms. Develop and bring a personal home evaluation/balance check list and stamped/self addressed envelopes for return to leave with the seniors. Develop and bring medication list cards to leave with the seniors. Bring a thank you card with contact information for follow up questions to leave with the seniors. Contact several (with a goal of 3-4 homes) seniors and family members for permission for home/medication/fall prevention intervention with media involvement. Day of event: Have a preplanned location for all team members to meet. Provide location addresses. Consider several key messages/take away ideas in each area of specialty for press coverage questions and community information. Have a printed list of tips/contact information for fall prevention to give to the media—so they can expand their coverage. Plan to be at the first home mid morning and be completed with all homes by early afternoon. Post event: After all evaluations have been returned, review the encounters with all the team members, considering and documenting suggestions by each member. Contact the senior participants at specific time intervals post event for further follow up documenting the results/evaluations. Begin planning for next year. Contact Information

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Sample Resolution

RESOLUTION FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK

SEPTEMBER 20 – 24, 2010 WHEREAS, the (insert area, city, county, region) is home tomore than (insert olderpopulationnumbercovered)citizensage60andover;andWHEREAS, older Texans are valuable members of our society who enhance ourcommunitiesandpersonallives;andWHEREAS,oneoutofthreeolderTexanswillfallthisyear;andWHEREAS, falls among older adults account for forty percent of all nursing homeadmissions;andWHEREAS,fallscostourstate$1.8billiondollarsannually;andWHEREAS,theemotional,psychologicalandcatastrophiccoststhataffectfamiliesandcaregiversisimmeasurable. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED September 21-25, 2009 to be Falls Prevention Awareness Week. We urge everyone to take time this first week of Fall 2009 to learn about factors that contribute to falls and strategies that can lessen the chance that they will experience a fall. Our efforts can improve the lives of our older citizens and help pave the way for safer future generations. Resolution adopted by the (insert name of body making resolution) on this day of September 2010. __________________ (Insert names of officials adopting resolution)

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Websites International Council on Active Aging

http://www.icaa.cc/ Texas Falls Prevention Coalition AMOB programmatic site www.texasfpc.org AoA- Administration on Aging http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx CDC- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/preventadultfalls.htm NCOA- National Council on Aging http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=113

Fall Prevention Awareness Day Website This website was created to help states and communities to promote falls awareness day and/or week.

http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=149 National Resource Center for Safe Aging http://www.safeaging.org/ Home Safety Council http://www.safeaging.org/ Maine Partnership for Health Aging http://www.mmc.org/mh_body.cfm?id=432 National Institute on Aging- Age Pages http://www.niapublications.org/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=45&cat=All+Age+Pages Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging http://www.t4aging.org Texas Association of Home Builders http://www.texasbuilders.org/#bf_miniCal_80 Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services http://www.dads.state.tx.us/

Medication Management Pocket Minder www.channing-bete.com, 1-800-628-7733, item # PS47551

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1. Panhandle AAA– Amarillo 1-800-642-6008

2. South Plains AAA– Lubbock 1-888-418-6564

3. North Texas AAA– Wichita Falls 1-800-460-2226

4. North Central Texas AAA– Arlington 1-800-272-3921

5. Tarrant County AAA–Fort Worth 1-817-258-8100

6. Dallas County AAA– Dallas 1-214-379-4636

7. Ark Tex AAA– Texarkana 1-800-372-4464

8. East Texas AAA– Kilgore 1-800-442-8845

9. West Central Texas AAA– Abilene 1-800-928-2262

10. Rio Grande AAA– El Paso 1-800-333-7082

11. Permian Basin AAA– Midland 1-800-491-4636

12. Concho Valley AAA– San Angelo 1-877-944-9666

13. Heart of Texas AAA– Waco 1-866-722-9600

14. Capital Area AAA– Austin 1-888-622-9111

15. Brazos Valley AAA– Bryan 1-800-994-4000

16. Deep East Texas AAA– Jasper 1-800-435-3377

17. South East Texas AAA–Beaumont 1-800-395-5465

18. Harris County AAA– Houston 1-800-213-8471

19. Houston-Galveston AAA– Houston 1-800-437-7396

20. Golden Crescent AAA– Victoria 1-800-574-9745

21. Alamo AAA– San Antonio 1-866-231-4922

22. Bexar County AAA– San Antonio 1-800-960-5201

23. South Texas AAA– Laredo 1-800-292-5426

24. Coastal Bend AAA–Corpus Christi 1-800-817-5743

25. Lower Rio Grande Valley AAA– McAllen 1-800-365-6131

26. Texoma AAA– Sherman 1-800-677-8264

27. Central Texas AAA– Belton 1-800-447-7169

28. Middle Rio Grande AAA– Carrizo Springs

1-800-224-4262