Kentwood staff working to reduce resident falls
OMNI falls prevention initiative underway at Picton home
Thursday April 17, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
A corporately-driven program aimed reducing the incidence of resident falls is underway at Kentwood Park.

The program, which is being facilitated by Linda Sheppard, the Picton long-term care home’s life enrichment co-ordinator, aims to reduce falls in the home through the introduction of risk management practices to identify residents who are most at risk of falling.

Working with a physiotherapist, Sheppard selected six residents who would benefit from the program. These residents, all of whom are walking on their own or with assistive devices, expressed interest in the program.

The program began during the first week of April when the residents were assessed by the physiotherapist, who measured each resident to determine their current mobility. Throughout the year each participating resident’s mobility will be measured again.

Once the data is collected, it is administrator Tina Cole’s job to determine the success of the program. From the data, Cole will be able to see where the problem areas are and then develop risk management practices.

“We’ll be able to look at specific residents and what the indicators are — are they falling on certain shifts, or times of day (and) what were the circumstances surrounding it — and you can track every month and hopefully you’ll see an improvement over time,” says Cole.

As part of the program, Sheppard has led an exercise class two times a week to help the six residents strengthen residents’ upper and lower extremities. The exercises are aimed at increasing strength, balance and mobility.

Although it’s too early to gauge any major physical improvements for residents, Sheppard says she’s seeing a lot of enthusiasm from residents who are advocating on behalf of their safety.

“I’m seeing the seriousness with which these residents are accepting this program,” she says. “They are very serious about it, they are very interested in it and they’re following along, and you can see that this is important to them.”

According to Health Canada, about 50 per cent of residents in long-term care fall each year. Falls prevention programs will be a major focus for OMNI’s 17 long-term care homes throughout 2008.

What is your long-term care home doing to help reduce the instance of resident falls? If you have a story you would like to share please contact deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

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