Sept. 22-26 is the National Council on Aging’s Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and physical therapist Lauren Scanlon, PT, DPT, GCS, MSCS, from VUMC’s Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute is distributing information and fact sheets on fall prevention.
“In our clinic, we know all too well how often older adults and patients with mobility needs fall,” she said. “We’ve seen the consequences of these falls firsthand.”
Reminders on why we focus on falls (all information from the CDC)
- More than a quarter of Americans 65 and older fall each year
- Over 3 million fall related injuries are treated in the ER annually. Including, 800,000 hospitalizations and 32,000 deaths
- Falls remain the leading cause of injury related death for older Americans
Some fact sheets and information for our patients and their families
“An Apple Watch as a medical alert system? What to Know” https://www.ncoa.org/article/apple-watch-as-medical-alert-system-what-to-know
“Getting to and from the Floor: a Little Practice Can Help You Stay Independent” https://www.ncoa.org/article/getting-to-and-from-the-floor
“Avoid Falls at Home: 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Safer” https://assets.ncoa.org/ffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca/e0153d3d-2c34-441a-ac06-0597c4d4f66b/2023_FPAW_Handout_Avoid_Falls_at_Home.pdf
“Take Control of Your Health: 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall”
English:
Spanish:
Quality, Safety, and Risk Prevention activities
Quality, Safety, and Risk Prevention is also observing Falls Prevention Awareness Week across all of VUMC.
The department encourages VUMC employees to participate in a fall-themed activity puzzle. Once completed, participants will have the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. To join the puzzle activity, please click here.
Additionally, a special lecture titled “Applying Technology to Fall Prevention” will take place on 9-10 a.m. CDT on Sept. 23. The lecture will be held in 214 Light Hall, with a virtual attendance option available. To register, please click here.
Each entity is also participating in Falls Prevention activities, including educational displays in cafeterias at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton Hospital and at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.
For more information regarding Falls Prevention Awareness Week, please write kate.faught@vumc.org
