Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients Timelisa Smith MSN-DE Herzing University NSG 660-7B Scholarly Practice Dr. Sheri Byrnes June 24, 2024

[Virtual Presenter] Hello everyone. My name is Timelisa Smith. Today I will be discussing the causes and risk factors of falls in elderly patients as well as strategies for preventing falls. We will also be discussing the impact of falls on elderly patients and their caregivers..

[Virtual Presenter] We will discuss our agenda which includes answering a picot question discussing a mixed research study and two qualitative research studies. We will also discuss potential changes to implement as a result of the findings. Our picot question is: What interventions can be implemented to prevent falls in elderly patients? We will first discuss a mixed design research study that will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the problem and potential interventions. Next we will discuss two qualitative research studies that will help us understand the perspectives and experiences of the participants. After reviewing the findings we will discuss potential changes to prevent falls in elderly patients including areas of opportunity for future research next steps and the conclusion..

[Virtual Presenter] Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients We need to take a holistic approach when it comes to fall prevention in elderly patients. We need to look at the patient's medical history lifestyle habits and environment to identify potential fall risks. We also need to educate patients on proper fall prevention techniques and provide them with the necessary tools and resources to prevent falls. We need to focus on building strength and balance in elderly patients to reduce the risk of falls. We can do this through exercises and other interventions that target these areas. We also need to ensure that the environment is safe and free of potential hazards to prevent falls. We should also involve patients and caregivers in the fall prevention process. Patients can provide valuable insights into their own fall risks and caregivers can help ensure that patients are following proper fall prevention techniques. Overall preventing falls in elderly patients is essential for patient safety and quality of life. We need to take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to fall prevention to ensure that patients are able to live safely and independently in their homes..

[Audio] How do we decrease falls in elderly patients aged 65 and up using improved fall prevention programming versus traditional fall prevention programming over the course of a year?.

[Audio] Reducing fall risk in elderly patients is critical. While there are age-related declines in function among elderly patients aged 65 and above multiple interventions are necessary to prevent falls. However traditional fall programs have not effectively prevented falls in this population. It is essential to consider health concerns vision wear assistive devices home modification financial resources and other factors when selecting interventions to prevent falls. By targeting the correct population and taking these factors into account we can effectively prevent falls in elderly patients and improve their quality of life..

[Audio] Timelisa Smith and I will discuss the importance of utilizing a multifactorial fall prevention program to address the various factors that contribute to falls. We will emphasize the importance of taking a multifaceted approach to fall prevention by addressing the underlying reasons that patients fall such as gait and balance issues fractures and osteoporosis medication side effects and vision and footwear problems..

[Audio] Our presentation focuses on preventing falls in elderly patients. We will discuss current fall prevention strategies in clinical practice. Although these strategies are implemented falls still occur annually. Our approach is different from traditional fall prevention programs. It focuses on the patient's needs and involves the entire care team. By empowering patients to take control of their own safety we believe we can reduce the number of falls and improve outcomes. We have developed innovative fall prevention strategies that can be implemented in clinical settings..

[Audio] The implementation of a multifactorial fall prevention program has resulted in a decrease in falls among the elderly population. The studies have shown an outcome of decreased falls among the elderly population after the implementation of the program..

[Audio] Discussing the time frame for implementing a multi-factorial fall prevention program in clinical practice. Our research indicates that completion times may vary. Proposing a time frame of a year as appropriate. This allows enough time for annual wellness exams and for primary providers to engage multiple referral sources. Additionally modifications to exercise and bathrooms may be required to achieve fall prevention results..

[Audio] We will present the findings of our systematic review. Our study focused on the recommendations from 15 guidelines published between 2010 and 2019. We searched for relevant literature using ProQuest and applied a refinement process to reduce the number of results. We identified 198 recommendations and grouped them into different intervention categories. Our categories included fall risk stratification assessment tools fractures or osteoporosis management multifactorial intervention medication review exercise physiotherapy referral environment modification vision footwear and cardiovascular interventions. We believe that these recommendations can help healthcare providers develop effective fall prevention programs that can reduce the risk of falls and improve the quality of life for elderly patients. Our study provides insights into best practices for fall prevention which we hope healthcare providers will use to improve their patient care..

[Audio] A qualitative study conducted in 2020 by Racine and others demonstrated that a multifactorial fall risk assessment can effectively reduce the rate of falls in older people. By identifying and addressing the various factors that contribute to falls we can help prevent them from occurring in the first place..

[Audio] We understand that self-efficacy can be a significant barrier to preventing falls in elderly individuals. However we believe that once elderly people are given the tools and resources they need to become more independent such as exercise programs home modifications and other tools the likelihood of falling decreases. To help elderly individuals become more independent and reduce the risk of falls we have developed a checklist that addresses multiple steps to prevent falls. This checklist can be adapted for use in the home or in a facility and should be posted in a conspicuous place such as the refrigerator or near the patient’s bed or couch..

[Audio] We recommend transitioning to one healthcare software and creating a page where a multifactorial fall assessment tool is utilized each year at the annual wellness visit by the primary care physician during a hospital event by the attending nurse and every 6 months by the nurse or social worker if the person is receiving home health services. This will reduce the number of falls in the elderly population..

[Audio] As we discuss the use of digital devices as a reminder for the elderly population it is important to consider the potential benefits of these devices in preventing falls and improving the quality of life for older adults. Digital devices can be an effective way to remind elderly individuals of important tasks and appointments including medication reminders exercise reminders and wellness opportunities. These reminders can help to prevent falls and improve overall health and wellbeing. In terms of future research there are many opportunities to explore personalized reminders based on an individual's unique needs and preferences. For example a device could be programmed to remind an individual to take medication at a specific time based on their medication schedule or to complete a specific type of exercise based on their fitness level and preferences. Additionally devices specifically designed for use by the elderly population could be developed optimized for use by individuals with limited dexterity or cognitive impairments and including features such as large buttons or simplified interfaces. Overall the potential benefits of digital devices as a reminder for the elderly population are significant and continued research in this area has the potential to improve the quality of life for older adults and prevent falls..

[Audio] Timelisa Smith will present on Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients. The presentation will discuss the importance of fall prevention and evidence-based research in clinical practice. To implement research take the research to the appropriate committee at the workplace for consideration. This will ensure that the research is evaluated and implemented effectively. Additionally a nurse may attend nursing conferences to learn more about ways to implement evidence-based research into clinical practice. These conferences provide an opportunity for nurses to network share ideas and learn from experts in the field. By implementing research and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in fall prevention we can improve the quality of care for elderly patients and help prevent falls..

[Audio] Our study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to prevent falls in elderly patients. We currently offer notifications in patient rooms and provide instruction to patients at discharge or admission that advises against falls. However our interventions such as Assessing gait and balance Managing fractures and osteoporosis Conducting a medication review Promoting exercise Vision and footwear correction Physiotherapy and Cardiovascular Interventions have been found to be more effective in reducing falls. We suggest exploring the use of digital technology as an additional intervention. It is crucial to attend continuing education on evidence-based nursing practices to implement them effectively..

[Audio] In this presentation we will examine the current clinical practice guidelines on fall prevention and management for older adults and the effectiveness of different fall prevention programs. We will also examine the real-world implementation of a Safe Recovery fall prevention program and how realist methods can be used to refine intervention theory. Our presentation aims to provide insights into how to prevent falls in elderly patients..

[Audio] We would like to thank you for attending our presentation on Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients. We hope that you have gained valuable insights on the importance of fall prevention in elderly patients..