Fall Prevention & Recovery Course Outline
Course Objectives:
- Learn how to mitigate intrinsic and extrinsic fall risks
- Implement fall-risk assessments with residents
- Understand energy conservation techniques
- Identify steps to take after a fall occurs for resident safety
- Demonstrate effective fall recovery practices
Part 1: Fall Prevention
- Statistics and Research
- Causes of falls
- Intrinsic Factors
- Muscle weakness
- Gait/balance disorders
- Dizziness/vertigo/hypotension
- Confusion/cognitive impairments
- Incontinence
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s
- Vision/hearing impairments
- Seizure disorders
- Depression
- Previous falls
- Fear of falling
- Extrinsic Factors
- Assistive devices
- Footwear
- Lack of handrails
- Wet floors
- Poor lighting
- Loose rugs/cords/clutter/pets
- Alcohol
- Medications
- Bathroom
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
- Entryway
- Intrinsic Factors
- Fall Risk Assessment for Residents
- National Council on Aging- 12 step assessment
- Caregiver Training- How to Mitigate Risk Factors
- Safe transfers
- Energy conservation techniques
- Room modifications
- Example Scenarios
- Fall Prevention Quiz
Part 2: Fall Recovery
- Statistics and Research
- Stages of a Fall
- Pre-landing- “prevention” focus
- Near-fall
- Fall landing
- Fall recovery
- After a Fall
- Assess resident for injury (medical emergency vs. non-injury)
- Ask
- Observe
- Identify
- Assist
- Document
- Assess resident for injury (medical emergency vs. non-injury)
- Recovery techniques
- Dependent Resident
- Independent Resident
- Injured Resident
- Example Scenarios
- Fall Prevention Quiz