Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Balance and Falls SIG is to provide a forum for the increase of knowledge and quality of Physical Therapy practice in relation to older persons with balance problems and an increased risk for falling.
These include:
- Programs at CSM
- Articles in Gerinotes or other publications
- Initiating discussions on Listserve.
- Journal Club
- Newsletters to Members
Balance and Falls SIG Events
Monday, June 28th - Annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day (NFPAD) Kick Off Call
The APTA Geriatrics Balance and Falls Special Interest Group is proud to announce that our annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day (NFPAD) Kick Off Call that occurred on Monday, June 28th, was a success! NFPAD is an annual event that occurs each year on the first week of fall (this year, it is the week of Wednesday September 22nd) and serves as a national effort to bring fall prevention to the forefront of the minds of clinicians, communities, and community partners. At this meeting we presented our NFPAD Toolkit (Version 2.0) to support falls prevention community events, talked about successful events others have had in their states (both pre and post COVID), and answered many of your questions about falls prevention! See below for a recording of the meeting.
Balance and Falls SIG News
Balance and Falls SIG Member Resources
How to conduct virtual fall prevention
by Jennifer Nash, APTA-Geri State Advocate for Nevada Click here to Download
VIDEO: Working on Balance and Fall Prevention At Home, developed by the NSGA/APTA Geriatrics Task Force.
From the 2020 BFSIG Falls Prevention Awareness Week Brainstorming Webinar and Guest Presentation on Virtual Balance Assessment from Winston-Salem State University, July 28, 2020
- Recording of Webinar
- National Falls Prevention Awareness Kick Off Call Minutes and Clinical Pearls from Webinar
- Virtual Balance Assessment Presentation Handout – Winston-Salem State University
- Virtual Balance Assessments – Helpful Links for Clinicians
Outcome Measure Toolkit for Geriatric Fall/Balance Assessment
The Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics developed this toolkit as an updated summary of current outcome measures related to balance and fall risk assessment. It is available, OPEN ACCESS here https://geriatricspt.org/special-interest-groups/balance-falls/Outcome-Measure-Toolkit
Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Professional & Community Engagement, 2nd Edition
The Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit developed by the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics is available, OPEN ACCESS here https://geriatricspt.org/special-interest-groups/balance-falls/nfpad/
The resources provided within the toolkit are designed to assist clinicians and students in creating and/or improving their community-based falls prevention events by utilizing current evidence and a wide-variety of quality resources.
Research Resources:
- Lusardi, et. al. Determining risk of future falls in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis using posttest probability. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. http://journals.lww.com/jgpt/Abstract/publishahead/Determining_Risk_of_Future_Falls_in.99800.aspx
- Phelon, et. al. Assessment and Management of Fall Risk in Primary Care Settings. Med Clin North Am. 2015. Mar; 99(2):281-293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707663/
- Renfro, et.al. Fall Risk Among Older Adult High-Risk Populations: a Review of Current Screening and Assessment Tools. Curr Geri Rep (2016) 5:160–171 https://geriatricspt.org/special-interest-groups/balance-falls/BFSIGFallRiskArticle.pdf
The Monthly Challenge
Every month, we send out an email to interested members with a quick summary of an aspect of balance and falls management. This email thread allows members to have topic specific communication as well as share experiences/ideas. We will also be posting the materials to our google drive which you can access at any time. Emails are sent out at the beginning of each month. If you wish to join the email chain and get the information before anyone else, email us at agptbalanceandfallssig@gmail.com .
National Fall Prevention Awareness Day Resources
- Links to Falls Prevention Resources from the NCOA - September 2019
- Consent & Release - sample 1
- Consent & Release - sample 2
- AOTA APTA PowerPoint
- National Fall Prevention Awareness Day Conference Call
- PT specific Stay Steady Algorithm 4.11
- Stay Steady Recommendations
- Community Powerpoint: Take a Stand to Prevent Falls- AOTA/APTA Geriatrics Fall Risk Presentation
- Toolkit for National Fall Prevention Awareness Day: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/falls-prevention-awareness-day/
- Letters for recruiting other health care providers:
- OT Letter
- RN Letter
- SLP Letter
- Pharmacist Letter
- Educational Material for other healthcare providers: FREE COURSES
- Falls Prevention Awareness: Advanced Training for Home Health Aides: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec5 or http://phinational.org/workforce/resources/phi-curricula/fall-prevention-awareness
- Falls Prevention for Home Health Nurses: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec1
- Preparing Community Health Workers and Promotores to Prevent and Reduce Falls Among Older Adults: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec6
Links of Interest:
- Home Safety for Patients and Caregivers: https://www.seniorliving.org/research/injury-prevention-guide/
- Canadian Fall Prevention Community of Practice: http://www.fallsloop.com/
- National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/
- CDC STEADI: http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/
Resources for your ToolBox:
- VEDA - Vestibular Disorders Association: Vestibular.org
- STEADI Powerpoint: STEADI Powerpoint
- STEADI Free Webinar: http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/webinar.html
- Stand TallTM DVD: Stand TallTM DVD
- Evidence Based Community Exercise Program Certification:
- Otago: https://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/exercise-program and a follow up educational opportunity: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec10
- Matter of Balance: https://www.mainehealth.org/mob
- Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL): http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/el/sail-register
- Stepping on: https://wihealthyaging.org/stepping-on
- Tai Chi http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/how-to-become-an-instructor-of-dr-lams-program-3/
- List of Apps:
- STEADI App: http://www.evidenceinmotion.com/products/fall-prevention-app/
- ClockYourself (Intervention): http://clockyourself.com.au/
- Gait Speed App: http://www.gaitspeedapp.com/
- iStand Fall Prevention Exercise App: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id587885952
