British Columbia

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Balance Class Program

Contact:

Kathleen Friesen
Manager, Elder Health Rehabilitation Services
1552 Russell Avenue
White Rock, BC
V4B 2R4
Tel.: 604-535-4577
Fax: 604-535-4587

Description:

The program seeks to identify individuals at risk for falling and prevent/reduce their risk of injury from falls by improving stability, balance and safety awareness in a rehabilitation/acute care setting. The program utilizes exercise and education and is offered five times per year. Objectives of the program include:

• Improving clients' strength, stability and balance;
• Increase clients' self-knowledge of correct positioning and posture;
• Increasing knowledge of home safety and strategies to prevent falls; and
• Encouraging healthy behaviours regarding exercise.

As a complement to the Balance Class Program, White Rock Leisure Services conducts a follow-up class.

Balance Program and Safety at Home Education

Contact:

Linda Bridgeman
Occupational Therapist
Enderby Geriatric Day Program
Box 610, 712 Granville Avenue
Enderby, BC
V0E 1V0
Tel.: 250-838-6420
Fax: 250-838-9530
Email: linda.bridgeman@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

The program is a balance program that is offered to seniors twice weekly in an adult day care and home support services setting. Objectives of the educational program include:

• Improving balance;
• Improving strength and endurance; and
• Reducing falls.

Upon discharge, seniors receive an assessment of balance and strength.

BC Ambulance Service: ADAPT Program

Contact:

Ron Yee
Project Manager
British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS)
Ministry of Health Services
5 - 712 Yates Street
Victoria, BC
V8W 9P1
Tel.: 250-953-3163
Fax: 250-953-3119
Email: ron.yee@gov.bc.ca

Description:

The BC Ambulance Service is developing a falls initiative that targets older adults. Potential objectives of the ADAPT Program include:

• Providing educational materials to elders who have a fall-related ambulance call;
• Examining the benefit of conveying fall-related risk factors to appropriate health care providers;
• Continuing partnership with agencies/groups that have an interest in falls prevention;
• Identifying fall-related risk factors to be added to the BCAS Patient Crew Report for analysis and planning;
• Evaluating the financial impact of implementing various fall reduction strategies; and
• Ascertaining viability of adopting the falls prevention infrastructure already in place in other emergency medical services.

Clinical Practice Guidelines at the Lodge at Broadmead

Contact:

Maureen Jones
Physiotherapist
The Lodge at Broadmead
4579 Chatterton Way
Victoria, BC
V8X 4Y7
Tel.: 250-658-3232
Fax: 250-658-0835
Email: maureenjones@gems5.gov.bc.ca

Description:

For seniors and veterans residing at the lodge, clinical practice guidelines have been established with the following objectives:

• Minimizing the number of falls that result in injury; and
• Reducing the total number of falls occurring by assessing falls risks.

The guidelines have an interdisciplinary focus. Within the facility, falls are tracked weekly on a daily falls report and interventions are implemented as needed. A policy on hip protectors was also developed. Next steps include the analysis of outcomes and refining data collection and analysis.

Community and Family Health Seniors Falls Prevention Program

Contact:

Karen Stephen
Community Health Nurse
Richmond Health Department
7000 Westminster Highway
Richmond, BC
V6X 1A2
Tel.: 604-233-3145
Fax: 604-233-3198
Email: karen.stephen@vch.ca

Description:

The goal of the program is to increase individual, family and community capacity to prevent falls by way of home support workers. Additionally, the program seeks to increase self-care, mutual aid and promote a safe environment utilizing a multifactorial approach. Next steps include the development of a logic model and the evaluation component of the program. The planning of further program details is in progress.

Creston Valley Falls Prevention Program

Contact:

Simon Lazarchuk
Recreation Coordinator
Swan Valley Lodge
Bag 1880, 818 Van Street
Creston, BC
V0B 1G0
Tel.: 250-428-2283 ext. 206
Fax: 250-428-9318
Email: simon.lazarchuk@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

The program aims to develop and implement a falls prevention program. The program also addresses other areas in the community that relate to falls prevention, for instance, nutrition, home and community safety, education and awareness. The program is first targeting its efforts toward frail elderly in the community and will later expand its services community-wide.

Development of Standardized Falls Risk Assessment and Interventions

Contact:

Lynnda Swan
Clinical Practice Consultant
Community Rehabilitation
1340 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 9N1
Tel.: 250-868-7881
Fax: 250-868-7809
Email: lynnda.swan@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

The project seeks to provide a more consistent method for assessing falls risk and, in turn, implement falls prevention activities among seniors when being seen by community rehabilitation therapists. Veterans and unpaid caregivers are likewise included in the education of falls prevention. Community rehabilitation is present in settings of seniors' housing/assisted living, publicly funded home support services and in the homes of communities.

Dufferin Care Centre Falls Prevention Plan

Contact:

Lynette Smith
Physiotherapist
Dufferin Care Centre
1131 Dufferin Street
Coquitlam, BC
V3B 7X5
Tel.: 604-552-1166
Fax: 604-552-3116
Email: lsmith@dufferincare.com

Description:

The centre has produced a plan for seniors within the facility, which includes the following objectives:

• Risk identification;
• Individualized response plans to falls risk;
• Collecting falls data;
• Educating staff, families and residents about identification and prevention of fall risk factors; and
• Future goal setting.

Strategies to implement the Falls Prevention Plan include walking programs, least restraint policy, continuous risk assessment and individualized response plans.

East Kootenay Regional Hospital Acute Care Falls Prevention Program

Contact:

Surrena Lemay
East Kootenay Regional Hospital
13 - 24^th Avenue N.
Cranbrook, BC
V1C 1A1
Tel.: 250-426-5281 ext. 495
Fax: 250-426-5285
Email: surrena.lemay@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

The hospital recognized that falls were occurring among their residents at a high rate on the medical/palliative care ward and, therefore, saw a need to be pro-active. The goal of the program is to decrease falls and fall-related injuries in the acute care. It provides an educational package that is given to caregivers upon discharge of patient which includes educational material on environmental changes, diet, nutrition, local resources, ways to identify fall risks, information on hip protectors and an "Eyes to Toes Review."

Falls: Harm Reduction

Contact:

Marcia Carr
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Acute Geriatrics
Burnaby Hospital
3935 Kincaid Street
Burnaby, BC
V5G 2X6
Tel.: 604-434-4211 ext. 3446
Fax: 604-412-6170
Email: marcia.carr@fraserhealth.ca

Description:

The goal of the project is to screen, assess and manage falls that have the potential to cause harm in the acute and sub-acute care setting, utilizing clinical practice guidelines for acute care. A proposal has been submitted to Fraser Health Authority on an integrated program for the prevention and management of falls, fall-related injuries, fractures, and osteoporosis. The program will include a fall/fracture/osteoporosis clinic, as well as a referral response system across the continuum of care. Additionally, a screening tool, which triggers the need to refer to an appropriate health care professional, is planned for implementation in the Emergency Department.

Fall Indicators of Risk: Screening Tool for Community Dwelling Seniors

Contact:

John Tully
Case Manager, Long Term Care
Home Health Care
#200 - 22722 Lougheed Highway
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 2V6
Tel.: 604-476-7113
Fax: 604-476-7126
Email: john.tully@fraserhealth.ca

Description:

The goal of the project is to support health professionals in quickly identifying seniors most at-risk for falling and making a referral to the appropriate agency. The screening tool will be utilized upon review of a client, if there is a change of condition or a call for concern. At this time, the project is educating its professional staff and has not yet begun implementation in the home health care offices.

Falls Prevention

Contact:

Deirdre Webster
Physiotherapist
Evergreen Community Health Centre
3425 Crowley Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5R 6G3
Tel.: 604-872-2511
Fax: 604-872-2368
Email: deirdre.webster@vch.ca

Description:

The centre targets seniors, veterans and unpaid caregivers through its multifactorial Falls Prevention activities by:

• Increasing awareness of fall-related risk factors;
• Decreasing risks of falling; and
• Improving balance.

The next steps are to incorporate falls risk assessment into basic assessments for all clients receiving community home services, standardize outcome measurement for physiotherapy intervention, and address and assess confidence with regard to falls.

Falls Prevention Activities at Anderson Manor

Contact:

Dilys Hull
Director of Care, Anderson Manor
90 Linden Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8V 4C8
Tel.: 250-385-5321
Fax: 250-385-5312
Email: andersonmanor@shaw.ca

Description:

Anderson Manor is a long-term care facility that provides intermediate care, pre- and post-hospital care and temporary stays to its residents. As part of daily protocol, Anderson Manor has engaged in Falls Prevention Activities for residents under and over the age of 65. Objectives of the activities include:

• On all shifts, identifying areas of high falls risk within the facility;
• Assessing adequate staff mix in order to ensure safe staffing; and
• Reducing the rate of falls among residents.

The next steps of the program are to utilize risk assessment tools and share ideas and strategies with similar-sized facilities.

Falls Prevention Committee

Contact:

Jan Bolton
Director of Care, Central Park Lodges Retirement Residence
1230 Balmoral Road
Victoria, BC
V8T 1B3
Tel.: 250-383-2323
Fax: 250-383-6359
Email: janbolton@cplodges.com

Description:

Utilizing a multifactorial approach, the committee has implemented falls prevention activities among its resident seniors and veterans. The goal of the committee is to implement activities that will prevent falls and fall-related injuries.

Falls Prevention Program

Contact:

Cydney Higgins
Care Coordinator
Mount St. Francis Hospital
1300 Gordon Road
Nelson, BC
V1L 3M5
Tel.: 250-352-3531 ext. 247
Fax: 250-353-6942
Email: cydney.higgins@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

Mount St. Francis Hospital is an extended care hospital located in Nelson. The objectives of the program include:

• Tracking the number of resident falls;
• Identifying residents at-risk for falls;
• Identifying residents who fall more than once;
• Increasing awareness of staff regarding fall prevention;
• Increasing staff awareness of risk factors;
• Implementing effective fall prevention strategies; and
• Reducing the number/severity of falls.

The next steps of the program are the ongoing fine tuning of the incident report form, policy tracking information and informal in-services with staff, as the program is in its development stages.

Fall Prevention Program

Contact:

Jadwiga Cichon
Nurse Manager
Kopernik Lodge
3150 Rosemount Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5S 2C7
Tel.: 604-438-2474 ext. 231
Fax: 604-438-5344
Email: jcichon@kopernik_lodge.bc.ca

Description:

Kopernik Lodge is a continuing care facility that provides intermediate care to seniors, in addition to a special care unit for patients with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. The program seeks to:

• Limit the frequency of falls among its residents;
• Prevent fall-related injuries;
• Decrease the severity of falls;
• Prevent fractures;
• Eliminate environmental risk factors; and
• Decrease falls related to side effects of medications.

All new employees receive an orientation package that includes falls prevention strategies, in addition to ongoing training. Kopernik Lodge realizes that falls are very common in the elderly population and caused mainly by health problems influencing gait and balance. Keeping that in mind, the facility provides an obstacle-free, safe environment.

Fall Prevention Program

Contact:

Steven Jiro
Clinical Nurse Manager
Fair Haven United Church Homes
2720 48^th Avenue E.
Vancouver, BC V5S 107
Tel.: 604-433-2939 ext 2232
Fax: 604-433-4547
Email: sjiro@fairhaven.bc.ca

Description:

This is a long-term care facility serving the elderly in Vancouver and Burnaby. The goal of the program is to maintain the number of falls and fall-related injuries within a reasonable range. After each occurrence of a fall, mental status and care needs are assessed to identify unmet needs in each resident. Strategies of the program include utilizing a bedside care plan form, half hour checking flow sheet and clinical practice guidelines. It is recognized that fear of falling is a documented predictor of future falls in community living seniors; the next step is to identify fear of falling in residents and, in turn, create support for residents to abate their fear.

Fall Prevention Program

Contact:

Christine Lam
Director of Care
Villa Cathay Care Home
970 Union Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 3Vl
Tel.: 604-215-3540
Fax: 604-215-3530
Email: chrislam@villacathay.ca

Description:

This home is a full-service care home servicing the Chinese community in Vancouver. A falls prevention program was implemented to:

• Prevent falls and fall-related injury;
• Implement fall prevention activities;
• Identify high-risk cases of falls;
• Perform walking exercises and supervision in mobility; and
• Identify risk factors for falls and intervene accordingly.

If a fall does occur, an individualized fall prevention strategy is developed. Evaluation of the fall prevention strategy is later measured.

Falls Prevention Program, Residential Care and Seniors Program

Contact:

Elaine Kidd
Clinical Nurse Specialist, North Shore Residential Care
Evergreen House
231 - 15^th Street E.
North Vancouver, BC
V7L 2L7
Tel.: 604-988-3131 ext. 4525
Fax: 604-984-3784
Email: elaine.kidd@vch.ca

Description:

The objectives of the program include:

• Reducing falls by 25%;
• Reducing serious injuries (fractures, head injuries) by 50%;
• Minimizing fall-related risks and maintain a safe environment; and
• Promoting the residents optimal level of independence using a least restraint approach.

Encon incident reports are used to track falls and provide clinical indications of degree of injury, number of repeat falls for each resident, number of falls for each two-hour time interval in a 24-hour period, number of falls related to a specific location, number of falls related to a contributing factor and number of falls from a specific sub-type. Next steps of the program are to audit pre-printed care plans to determine the most common interventions used by staff and to develop a comprehensive profile of the repeat faller using the Minimum Data Set Assessment Project (MDSAP) info. Because resident populations change on the units, rates are variable and falls prevention activities are continually adapting to residents with challenging risk problems. Seniors in residential care facilities are at a high risk for falls, pose a number of challenges and require creative falls prevention strategies using an interdisciplinary approach.

Falls Prevention - An Interdisciplinary Approach

Contact:

Joyce Nolin
Resident Services Manager
St. Jude's Anglican Home
810 - 27^th Avenue W.
Vancouver, BC V5Z 207
Tel.: 604-874-3200 ext. 227
Fax: 604-874-3459
Email: joycen@stjudes.bc.ca

Description:

The program at St. Jude's Anglican Home is an in-house program that seeks to:

• Provide the newest safety measures for residents;
• Reduce incidence of falls;
• Increase bone density using exercise and dietary supplements;
• Reduce risk factors related to falls;
• Provide a falls risk-assessment upon admission; and
• Allow residents to remain independent, though at-risk.

The program will be maintained through continued education to current and new staff, families and residents.

Falls Prevention Committee

Contact:

Deborah Peck (Physiotherapist) and Caroline Dunford (Occupational Therapist)
Peace Liard Community Health Services Society
10115 - 10^th Avenue
Fort St. John, BC
V1J 6M9
Tel.: 250-787-3355
Fax: 250-787-3486
Email: caroline.dunford@northernhealth.ca

Description:

By providing in-services and workshops in home care, hospital and community settings, the committee is a team of professionals that is targeting their efforts to:

• Raise awareness of falls prevention in facilities and around the community;
• Develop falls prevention policies;
• Increase physical activity and decrease falls;
• Produce falls prevention materials; and
• Promote education/workshops on falls prevention.

The committee will continue with workshops and innovative initiatives to stimulate interest each year. Better evaluation techniques and client satisfaction surveys will be developed.

Falls Prevention Planning

Contact:

Annette Garm
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Louis Brier Home and Hospital
1055 - 41^st Avenue W.
Vancouver, BC
V6M 1W9
Tel.: 604-261-9376 ext. 264
Fax: 604-266-8772
Email: agarm@louisbrier.com

Description:

This is a long-term care facility serving Jewish seniors in Vancouver. The facility has begun the project to implement falls prevention activities. Current literature and best practices guidelines have been utilized to produce a comprehensive falls prevention and safe practices program. Objectives of the program are to:

• Reduce the number of falls among residents;
• Reduce number of injuries sustained during a fall;
• Increase staff awareness for vigilance in falls prevention;
• Reduce number of emergency department admissions due to injuries sustained by a fall; and
• Identify fall risk factors in elderly and educate all staff, residents and families.

Falls Prevention Programs

Contact:

Alison Dennis
Fitness/Wellness Services Coordinator
City of Richmond
6911 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V6Y 2C1
Tel.: 604-718-8009
Fax: 604-718-8007
Email: adennis@city.richmond.bc.ca
Web site: www.richmond.ca (External link)

Description:

1) Slips, Trips and Falls Education and Exercise Program: This is an education and exercise program developed to assist seniors living in the community to:

• Reduce the risk of falls in the home by identifying potential risks;
• Improve balance, strength and endurance through a fun exercise circuit;
• Provide a resource listing of all community services for clients who might wish to access information on falls prevention; and
• Promote social interaction for seniors.

Functional assessments are completed at pre-program and post-program. The program is offered in recreation facilities/community centres and recreation fitness leaders provide the instruction of the program.

2) Step Safe Prevention Program: The program is an education and exercise program developed to assist seniors living in the community to:

• Reduce the risk of falls in the home by identifying potential risks;
• Improve balance, strength and endurance through a fun exercise circuit;
• Provide a resource listing of all community services for clients who might wish to access information on falls prevention; and
• Promote social interaction for seniors.

Functional assessments are completed at pre-program and post-program. The program is offered in recreation facilities/community centres and recreation fitness leaders provide the instruction of the program.

Falls Program: Ponderosa Lodge

Contact:

Rhonda Chisholm
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Department
Royal Inland Hospital
311 Columbia Street
Kamloops, BC
V2C 2T1
Tel.: 250-314-2459
Fax: 250-314-2339
Email: rhonda.chisholm@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

Ponderosa Lodge is a continuing care facility located at Royal Inland Hospital servicing older adults who are not in need of acute care. The program seeks to educate staff, decrease falls and prevent hip fractures. Individual assessments are done as needed. Due to the pending closure of Ponderosa Lodge, the program is to be implemented at Oberlander Residential Care.

Falls Reduction Project

Contact:

Thelma Friesen
Team Leader, Haro Park Centre
1233 Haro Street
Vancouver, BC
V6E 3Y5
Tel.: 604-687-5584
Fax: 604-687-0645
Email: tfriesen@haropark.org
Web site: www.haropark.org (External link)

Description:

The project has been implemented in the long-term care facility and seniors housing/assisted living facility. Using a multifactorial approach, the project's objectives include:

• Reducing the number of preventable falls;
• Improving mobility among seniors; and
• Reducing the number of residents dependant on a wheelchair for mobility.

Fall Reduction and Subsequent Injuries Through Improved Assessment Techniques and Effective Fall Management Strategies

Contact:

Donna Dougan
Chief Executive Officer
German Canadian Care Home
2010 Harrison Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5P 2P6
Tel.: 604-713-6555
Fax: 604-713-6548
Email: sstevens@gcch.ca

Description:

The program seeks to implement falls prevention activities by utilizing the following objectives:

• Researching and reviewing fall assessment tools;
• Selecting a fall assessment tool for implementation;
• Establishing effective intervention strategies;
• Providing fall prevention education to caregivers, families, volunteers and residents, where appropriate;
• Evaluating effectiveness of the program; and
• Developing relevant policies and procedures.

Fall-risk Assessment Tool in the Geriatric Acute Program at Royal Columbian Hospital

Contact:

Anne Earthy
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Queen's Park Care Centre
315 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster, BC
V3L 5E8
Tel.: 604-517-8613
Fax: 604-517-8651
Email: anne.earthy@fraserhealth.ca

Description:

In November 2003, a fall-risk assessment tool was introduced to the new Geriatric Acute Program (GAP) Unit at Royal Columbian Hospital. The assessment tool is completed at admission and discharge, and is utilized independently of existing acute care initiatives in Fraser North Acute Care. Prior to the fall risk assessment tool, clinical nurse specialists primarily focused their efforts in the extended care unit. Members of the interdisciplinary staff are educated on least restraint policy, identification of risk factors and implementation of alternatives. The next step is to obtain research support to share the indicators that were developed and results from the use of the assessment tool.

Falls with Serious Injury

Contact:

Diane Field
Resident Care Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Educator
Fraser Hope Lodge
1275 - 7^th Avenue
Hope, BC
V0X 1L0
Tel.: 604-860-7735
Fax: 604-860-7708
Email: diane.field@fraserhealth.ca

Description:

The program targets serious fall-related injuries and its goal is to ensure that residents will experience freedom of mobility and will not experience a serious injury related to a fall. Preventative, contingency and recovery strategies are utilized and described below:

• Preventative: refer to falls management guidelines, UT/PT assessment, individualized care plans, least restraint policy, falls algorithm, safe equipment, safe environment and staff education.
• Contingency and Recovery: utilize Encon reporting system, investigation and tracking of falls, UT/PT assessment, care conferences and education.

Next step of the program is to continue contact with the focus group using comparative analysis.

The First Step

Contact:

Leanie Eksteen
Occupational Therapist
Box 220
1140 Hunter Place
Squamish, BC
V0N 3G0
Tel.: 604-892-2293
Fax: 604-892-2327
Email: leanie.eksteen@cgh.bc.ca

Description:

Utilizing a multifactorial approach, First Step is a community and home support-targeted program for seniors, veterans and the general public that is coordinated by an occupational therapist. The program's purpose is to prevent falls and raise awareness of falls prevention in the community. The next step is to measure the impact and outcome as a result of the program.

The First Step: Fall Prevention Starts with You!

Contact:

Alan Leathem or Cheryl Block
Home and Community Care
Northern Health Region
312 Kelum Street
Terrace, BC
V8G 4T2
Tel.: 250-638-2219 or 250-638-2225
Fax: 250-638-2264

Description:

In this program, community rehabilitation therapists provide an assessment of seniors and veterans on fall-related risk factors. Additionally, falls prevention information and resources are provided to seniors. The program is presented to groups/seniors on an as-requested or as-required basis within adult day care, assisted living and community settings.

The First Step: Fall Prevention Starts with You — Burnaby site

Contact:

Marcia Carr
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Acute Geriatrics
Burnaby Hospital
3935 Kincaid Street
Burnaby, BC
V5G 2X6
Tel.: 604-434-4211 ext. 3446
Fax: 604-412-6170
Email: marcia.carr@fraserhealth.ca

Description:

The program seeks to:

• Prevent falls and harmful injuries among community-dwelling seniors in Burnaby and Ridge Meadow communities;
• Raise awareness on fall-related risks and falls prevention; and
• Provide a community-based program that all seniors can access.

It will be necessary to convince health authorities that sustainability is essential to maintain current fall prevention levels and to prevent overall falls and fall-related injury rates throughout Fraser Health Authority.

Fraser Health Authority Falls Prevention Initiative

Contact:

Marcia Carr
Fraser Health Authority
260 Sherbrooke Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3M2
Tel.: 604-434-4211, local 3446
Fax: 604-412-6170
Email: marcia.carr@fraserhealth.ca
Web site: www.fraserhealth.ca (External link)

Description:

The project goal is to reduce the number of falls and fall-related injuries among seniors, veterans and caregivers in Burnaby and Ridge Meadows by delivering a fall risk reduction program. The project will take place in seniors' centres, seniors' housing complexes and branches of the Royal Canadian Legion. Key program components include:

• Educational workshops to increase awareness and knowledge of risk factors, fall hazards and prevention strategies;
• Fall risk assessments and the development of individualized programs for participants.

Outreach by home care professionals will facilitate participation by the more frail or isolated seniors/veterans. Where necessary, transportation will be arranged for those unable to get to the project venues. Trained senior and veteran volunteers will regularly follow up with participants to provide support and to track personal and environmental changes and falls experiences. A social marketing/public awareness campaign will be conducted to complement and reinforce the overall strategy.

Functional Fitness Exercise Class

Contact:

Nancy Jackson
Program Coordinator
Chown Adult Day Centre
3519 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 2W9
Tel.: 604-879-0947
Fax: 604-879-0121
Email: njchown@shaw.ca

Description:

The project seeks to reduce falls and fall-related injuries among seniors. Utilizing components of functional mobility, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance coordination and body composition, the class aims to improve functional ability. The end goal of the class is to prevent falls and allow seniors to remain in their homes. Staff members have been inspired to continue the class because clients have shown improvement. Next steps include:

• Re-examining clients for improvement and balance;
• Increasing amount of weight and repetitions; and
• Continuing education for staff.

Glacier View Lodge Safe Mobility Initiative

Contact:

Mya Ambrose
Charge Nurse
R. R. #5
2450 Back Road
Courtenay, BC
V9N 9G8
Tel.: 250-338-1451
Fax: 250-338-1115
Email: mambrose@sjgh.hnet.bc.ca

Description:

This long-term care facility implemented its safe mobility initiative among its residents and staff. Glacier View Lodge recognizes that each fall is an opportunity to learn how other falls can be prevented. At time of admission, patient's mobility and fall risk are assessed. All falls are recorded on incident reporting forms and reviewed with an assessment and intervention focus. Furthermore, residents are assessed daily and results are then communicated to staff; a more comprehensive review occurs monthly. A wall was built to deflect residents from high fall site at entry to unit and all walls were repainted to increase brightness and contrast. Effective team communication, education to staff and promotion of exercise to increase ambulation and activity on the unit all aided in reducing falls. It was informally noted that now most residents only fall once or twice, as compared to residents who fell several times weekly.

Heartfitt Studio, Inc.

Contact:

Flo Bongiovanni-Russell
Program Director, Heartfitt Studio, Inc.
940 Forshaw Road
Victoria, BC
V9A 6L9
Tel.: 250-361-9149
Fax: 250-361-9149
Email: flobong@pacificcoast.net

Description:

Heartfitt Studio aims to create a safe environment where individuals learn to exercise effectively and functionally. Clients are seniors from a variety of settings and are seen under the supervision of a registered kinesiologist. This is a fee-for-service program.

Hip Fracture Clinical Path: UBC and VGH Hospitals

Contact:

Valerie MacDonald
1010 Chamberlain Drive
North Vancouver, BC
V7K 1N9
Tel.: 604-980-0268

Description:

As part of routine care, University of British Columbia (UBC) and Victoria General Hospitals (VGH) aim to prevent in-hospital falls and fractures and prevent readmission of patients post-hip fracture. Audits have been designed and utilized to describe practice and evaluate the use of tools. Next steps include establishing links with "Hip Health" community supports and family physicians, in addition to sending out recommendations for osteoporosis follow-up to general practitioners.

Holy Family Hospital Falls Prevention Program

Contact:

Keith Tam
Physiotherapist
7801 Argyle Street
Vancouver, BC
V5P 3L6
Tel.: 604-321-2661 ext. 22334
Fax: 604-322-2657
Email: khtam@providencehealth.bc.ca

Description:

The program is administered in a rehabilitation setting, educates seniors, veterans and the general public to be aware of the risk factors and consequences associated with falls and to identify those that affect him/her. Additionally, each participant of the program is asked to identify solutions to prevent falls and appropriate community resources for further contact.

Inter-Regional Interdisciplinary Orthopaedic Working Group

Contact:

Nancy Cho
Rehabilitation Consultant,
South Community Health Office
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
6405 Knight Street
Vancouver, BC
V5P 2V9
Tel.: 604-301-2247
Fax: 604-321-5108
Email: nancy.cho@vch.ca

Description:

This working group consists of health professionals that meet every other month to provide a forum for information sharing, work on areas of mutual interest, and present educational topics from all disciplines. Examples of educational venues include hip protectors, falls prevention, universal design, vestibular disturbances and restraining.

Objectives of the working group are to:

• Include health care provisions using a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach over the continuum of care for acute, rehab and community settings;
• Incorporate evidence-based practice to deliver more effective quality care; and
• Better utilize existing resources.

James Bay Lodge Fall Prevention and Reduction Program

Contact:

Mae Meller
Director of Clinical Nursing Practices
James Bay Lodge
336 Simcoe Street
Victoria, BC
V8V 1L2
Tel.: 250-388-6457
Fax: 250-862-4101
Email: maemeller@cplodges.ca

Description:

The program has the following objectives to:

• Identify residents at high risk for falls;
• Initiate preventive measures and evaluate their effectiveness;
• Accurately identify intrinsic/extrinsic risk factors that increase potential for falls;
• Use multidisciplinary prevention to reduce/eliminate resident specific risks;
• Improve the methods of assessment, care planning, documentation and monitoring falls;
• Enhance overall environmental safety for residents and staff; and
• Promote autonomy and functional independence among residents.

The Tai Chi Organization offers weekly sessions at no cost to residents at the lodge. Additionally, calcium and vitamin D supplements are given to the residents. The lodge is the only pilot site west of Ontario for Tactex Med Motion Sensor pads. Next steps of the program are to improve the implementation component for consistent practices and to develop an ongoing evaluation component.

Kamloops Injury Prevention Network

Contact:

Cathy Shether
Chair, Kamloops Injury Prevention Network
Public Health
519 Columbia Street
Kamloops, BC
V2C 2T8
Tel.: 250-851-7413
Fax: 250-851-7301
Email: cathy.shether@interiorhealth.ca

Description:

The network actively works toward reducing the rate of injuries in Kamloops by partnering with local, provincial and national injury prevention groups that already exist in the community. The result will be a safety culture that is part of the value system and lifestyle of the community. Therefore, there will be fewer incidents resulting in injuries and death. The goals are to:

• Reduce the incidence of fall-related injuries in people 65+;
• Reduce the incidence of recreation-related injuries in children and youth, to equal, or less than, the BC provincial average;
• Empower individuals, groups and the community to share the burden of safe disposal of used needles; and
• Develop financial sustainability.

Keeping Afoot: A Falls Prevention Workshop

Contact:

Julie Cheng
Physiotherapist
Ward 9B, St. Paul's Hospital
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1Y6
Tel.: 604-682-2344 ext. 63464
Fax: 604-806-8390
Email: jcheng@providencehealth.bc.ca

Description:

Within the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic at Saint Paul's Hospital, Keeping Afoot is a workshop on falls prevention activities that is presented to seniors and caregivers. In March 2004, the program was combined with St. Vincent's Hospital to provide further falls prevention activities to its Day Hospital patients.

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