Creating and Implementing a Successful Fall Management Program

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA), more than one in four Americans 65 years and older sustain afall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non- fatal injuries among older adults. As a result, those sustaining injuries often must seek medical care costing the healthcare industry billions of dollars. In addition, depending on the severity of injury these falls can rob our seniors of their independence. As a healthcare professional, what is our rolein the prevention and management of falls?

This course will educate the rehab professional on understanding their role as well as provide resources to better support our older adults. Depending on your work setting, you may be asked to develop a program to reduce the number of falls, prevent falls, or manage those individuals who have sustained repeated falls while reducing potential injuries. No matter where you are in the development of a fall program, it is important to be able to identify the risk factors and understand what interventions can make an impact. Falling isnot an inevitable part of aging and with a proactive approach and lifestyle adjustments, the number of falls among our older adults can be reduced.

Highlights

• Immediately improve knowledge of the key components of developing a successful fall prevention program
• Understand the role of physical and occupational therapy services when addressing fall risk factors

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants