Focusing on best practices mitigates risk of falls
Friday January 11, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
A walking program, regular assessments and frequent monitoring of residents have helped minimize the risk of falls at Willows Estate, says Rosemary Ferraro, the Aurora long-term care home’s director of care.

According to Statistics Canada, falls account for two-thirds of injuries which limit mobility and activities for Canadians. Nearly 14,000 Canadians die as the result of falls every year. Because a fall resulting in injury can set in motion a steady decrease in the health of a resident, preventing falls is a major issue in the long-term care sector.

To mitigate these risks, the home assesses residents on a quarterly basis and provides physiotherapy services and exercise groups to help develop and maintain strength and balance.

If a resident happens to fall, Ferraro notes that staff members will immediately assess the resident, regardless of how much time has passed since they were last assessed.

“If a resident does have a fall, that’s your cue to start an assessment because obviously something has changed and you’ve got to start over again,” she explains.

To ensure best practices are kept up to date, the home has a plan for falls prevention which is updated regularly.

Willows Estate also has regular in-services focused on best practices in falls prevention. Mary Dupuis, one of eight best practices guideline co-ordinators in Ontario, visited the home to deliver a presentation on Dec. 12, which was attended by 21 staff members.

The biggest change in terms of falls prevention Ferraro says she has seen in the long-term care sector over the past few years has been a “heightened awareness” of best practices.

The home’s life enrichment department has a walking program which Ferraro says has been beneficial to residents.

“Walking is great for your stability and your balance, so we make sure that everybody walks as much as they can,” she says. “We have (a home) that is open with lots of room to walk. Everyone is encouraged to walk to the dining room and to walk back to their room (and) walk to activities.”

When it comes to walking to and from activities, life enrichment staff gives residents as much time as needed.

“If someone needs assistance to walk, somebody will walk with them, and if they need to rest half way, then we can do that, too,” says Ferraro.