A 2012 Cochrane Systematic Review reported that clinical assessment by a health care provider combined with individualized treatment of identified risk factors, referral if needed, and follow-up reduced the rate of falls by 24%!
Below are the key findings and recommendations in this research article. At the bottom, you can see a link for the full article. Read More
Hunting for a Great Senior Fall Prevention Program? See how Portland OHSU has used EPIC EHR software integration of CDC STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) to decrease falls. . . . Read More
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults aged 65 years and older. But falls aren’t an inevitable part of aging — and that’s the premise behind the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) Initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). . . . Read More!
Each year, approximately 30% to 40% of people aged 65 years and older who live in the community fall.
Primary care providers (PCPs) have a crucial role in helping patients understand the important factors causing falls. This also. . . . Read More!
Using STEADI, Sam the PT, was asking Len about his fall which caused his hip fracture. It was daytime and he was hurrying to the bathroom because of prostate issues. He was wearing socks and not using his walker. Sam did the TUG, Timed up and Go balance test multiple ways. This included socks vs supportive shoes, walker and no walker. Lo and behold- Len was less of a fall risk wearing shoes and using his walker! STEADI coordinates well with the goals of value-based. . . . Read More!
87-year-old Ellen was discharging home and was alone for short periods of time. Mary, the OT, was concerned if she was going to be safe using the stove top. A cognitive screening called the Allen Cognitive Level Scale was starting to be used by the Occupational Therapy staff. She had just been trained to do the L-ACL. It was 3 different leather. . . . Read More!
I hope you chose the black shoes with custom elastic laces! Many times seniors have edema in their feet and with the different length laces, occupational therapy makes it an easy slip-on shoe using a long shoe horn. A shoe repair shop permanently sews the “tongue” in a proximal “top” corner! I have used the below 2-page shoe test handout successfully for 15 years. . . . . Read More!
Here is a summary of the Son et al research study.
Methods: A randomized trial in which subjects were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the Tai Chi (TC) group (n =21; age, 72.8) which participated in a modified Sun-style TC exercise program; Otago group (n =24; age, 71.5) which participated in the Otago exercise program. . . . Read More!
Suzy Begay was worried. She had 2 falls this past week getting off the toilet and walking back to her room. What was she going to do?
Thankfully, the OT shared previous successes using the above safety sign. “I know I need to do better but I’m tired of waiting for help walking”. Motivational interviewing and stories of medical “bone fractures” increased her safety awareness. Suzy knew she was impulsive. She got excited when she got to pick out the colors for her wall sign. Being Native American, those colors had cultural significance to her Navajo tribe. She also wanted to highlight in yellow. . . . Read More!
