Spreading awareness of fall risk factors

Throughout November, nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff across Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals (OPH) are championing the 2024 No Falls November campaign and spreading awareness about fall risk factors for older adults.

OPH Falls Specialist Physiotherapists Jess Davies and Simone Tam and A/Senior Occupational Therapist Faye Baker are part of a collaborative team of allied health professionals and volunteers driving falls prevention programs across acute and community settings.

Jess said evidence strongly demonstrated that falls occur in older adults as a result of multiple factors, including mobility, changes in blood pressure and cognitive impairment.

“Due to the number of possible factors, it is essential that a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach is taken when addressing these risk factors and helping to promote healthy ageing in our patients,” Jess said.

“As part of our falls outpatient home visit service, we work collaboratively with patients to identify their fall risk factors and develop and implement individualised prevention strategies to minimise environmental and personal risks.”

Faye said an OPH Falls Education Group was established last year to provide enhanced falls prevention information and strategies to patients to increase their confidence and self-efficacy.

“The program focuses on promoting the concept of healthy ageing through targeted education and exercise programs to optimise a patients wellbeing and reduce their likelihood of falling,” she said.

"Participant feedback has been very positive, with patients stating that they come away with more confidence in regard to avoiding any future falls after attending the sessions."

Simone said volunteers also provided vital falls assistance through the Falls Inpatient Education Program.

“Our team of invaluable volunteers play a key role in falls prevention by providing personalised education for patients, and their families or carers, who are at risk of falling,” Simone said.

The No Falls November campaign was established in 2023 in a collaboration between health service providers and the Department of Health.

Staff are encouraged to promote falls prevention amongst older consumers through the Stay On Your Feet WA program.

Promotional resources are available on the Department of Health website (external site).