Fall Prevention for Older Adults Receiving Home Healthcare

Home Healthc Now. 2016 Feb;34(2):68-75. doi: 10.1097/NHH.0000000000000333.

Abstract

Falls pose a significant risk for community-dwelling older adults. Fall-related injuries increase healthcare costs related to hospitalization, diagnostic procedures, and/or surgeries. This article describes a quality improvement project to reduce falls in older adults receiving home healthcare services. The fall prevention program incorporated best practices for fall reduction, including fall risk assessment, medication review/management, home hazard and safety assessment, staff and patient fall prevention education, and an individualized home-based exercise program. The program was implemented and evaluated during a 6-month time frame. Fewer falls occurred post implementation of the falls prevention program with no major injuries.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / prevention & control*
  • Accidents, Home / prevention & control*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Home Care Services / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*
  • Male
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Risk Assessment