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Take a look at these surprising statistics from the National Council On Aging:
- 1 in 4 Americans aged 65 and over falls each year
- Every 11 seconds, an older adult receives treatment in an ER for a fall
- Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall
These statistics show that despite all the fall prevention information available today, we still have a significant problem. The concern becomes even greater during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- With social distancing, many of our residents are not as physically active.
- Residents spend more time alone in their rooms with potentially less monitoring by staff.
- As group activities are limited, residents have less access to exercise classes.
- Residents who have become ill with COVID-19 often experience decreased strength & endurance during recovery.
- Depression related to social isolation may cause decreased mobility.
That’s why I hope you’ll add Fall Prevention Awareness Day to your calendar for September. We celebrate this event on the first day of fall each year, which means it falls on September 22. (Did you catch those homonyms?)
Every nursing home has different social distancing rules during the pandemic. However, with a bit of creativity, you can do these fall prevention activities in almost any setting.
Stage a mock fall scene
Using a mannequin as the fall victim, set up a scene with lots of fall hazards. For example, you could include a throw rug, shoes with slippery soles, a bottle of fake sleeping pills, and an extension cord. Offer prizes for employees who find all the hazards.
Provide fun activities for residents
- Play fall prevention Bingo
- Serve snacks high in calcium, vitamin D, and protein to maintain healthy bones and muscles
- Offer exercise classes that focus on maintaining or improving balance.
Educate families
Many of your residents have family members who are also at risk for falls. Consider providing educational materials in the form of posters or brochures. You’ll find lots of helpful resources on the National Council On Aging website.
(If you’ve been with my blog for a while, you know that my favorite place to hang educational materials is in public restrooms!)
Get students involved
Now that many colleges are back in session, students in health careers are looking for community service projects. Consider contacting professors or student organizations and invite them to come up with ideas for Fall Prevention Day.
A few possibilities include nursing, gerontology, social work, occupational therapy, or public health majors. Even though they may not come out to the nursing home during the pandemic, they can still do virtual activities and presentations.
Host an education fair
Set up booths with experts addressing a variety of topics related to fall prevention. You could include:
- A pharmacist talking about medications that can increase fall risk
- A dietician sharing the importance of nutrition and hydration in preventing falls and fractures
- A physical therapist providing information on adaptive equipment for mobility
- A social worker talking about clutter and hoarding
I would love to hear what you’re doing for Fall Prevention Day. Please share in the comment section!
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