FALLS PREVENTION: FALLS MANAGEMENT

• Enables case managers and discharge planners to safely plan home discharges.

• Provides physicians with the security that the VNA of LI’s professional team will assess all clients at risk for falls.
• All members of the home health care team have been specially trained in home safety and fall management.

 

Goals/Objectives

• Early identification of those clients at risk for falls thereby potentially preventing falls and injury.
• Educate the client and caregiver about:
  • Safe ambulation, transfer techniques and basic home safety
  • How to avoid falls and serious injury
  • Proper use of any assistive device such as a walker or cane

• Provide professional services as needed including:
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy

• Help to prevent hospitalization and unnecessary visits to healthcare professionals.
• Collect information to track improvement.

 

Specifics

• Registered Nurse completes the Fall Risk Assessment Form:
  • Upon admission into the home care program with VNA of LI
  • After 60 days of service
  • After a hospitalization
  • After a fall

• The Falls Risk Assessment Tool:
  • Enables our staff to identify clients at risk for falls and classify the risk:
    • Mild risk
    • Moderate risk
    • High risk

• The scoring of this tool serves as a guide for the types of services best suited for the client such as:
  • Nursing
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Social work
  • Home health aide