Falls and fall-related injuries is a substantial problem for the elderly population that requires the undivided attention of the medical community. According to Carande-Kulis, Stevens, Florence, Beattie, and Arias (2015), more than 30 percent of patients aged 65 and older fall at least once a year. Moreover, approximately 20 percent of falls result in injuries that require medical attention (Uusi-Rasi et al., 2015). A recent report issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that falls is the seventh leading cause of death among older adults (as cited in Uusi-Rasi et al., 2015). Despite the fact that fall rates increase with age, the problem can be prevented. The aim of this paper is to present a falls prevention program that can substantially reduce the incidence of falls among older adults (GRS, 2013). The paper will outline an estimation of the costs of the program, its goals and five intervention methods. It will also include a marketing plan containing basic elements of a marketing strategy for the implementation of the program.
General Description
Balance for Life is a fall prevention program that is based on practical strategies for improving balance and fitness level, reducing the fear of falling, and improving health and well-being of adults ages 60 and older. The program has been developed for use in Lake Forest Nursing Center. Balance for Life aims to provide participants with the knowledge necessary for understanding their fall risks.
Goals
The primary goal of this evidence-based falls prevention program is to reduce the incidence of falls for frail older adults by 50 percent. Another goal of the program is to increase strength, balance, and fitness of adults 60 and older in order to reduce the level of their mobility difficulty. The program also aims to reduce stress and increase the self-esteem of the participants.
Outcomes
To increase participants’ understanding of basic safety measures for the prevention of falls. To provide participants with a framework for introducing changes in their diets, use of substances, and sleep schedule. To improve mobility levels of participants. To create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for older adults using walkers and wheelchairs.
Interventions
Balance for Life has been designed to provide older adults with limited literacy skills with health information. The program design is justified by the fact that older adults ages 50 and older are more likely to have lower levels of health literacy than those of younger adults. Balance for Life consists of two workshops that last two and half hours each and regular classes that should be held three times a week for 12 weeks. The workshops have been designed to be held over a two-day period. There are no strict guidelines on recommended class size for the program. Workshop participants can exercise and receive relevant health information in the available spaces of Lake Forest Nursing Center. However, in order to conduct a physical skills screening, it is necessary to have a screening station next to a solid wall. Consideration for space has to include the ability to easily move chairs or form small groups in order to allow participants to stand and exercise. Furthermore, a class for Balance for Life program has to facilitate movement of older adults who use walking aids such as walkers and wheelchairs.
Balance for Life will include “individually tailored muscle-strengthening and balance-retaining exercises of increasing difficulty combined with walking” (Carande-Kulis et al., 2015, p. 66). Another intervention incorporated in the program is “one-hour sessions of Tai Chi movement” (Carande-Kulis et al., 2015, p. 66). Balance for Life leaders will also provide all participants with information on falls, managing medications and the use of hip protectors (Gao et al., 2014). Female participants of the program will be recommended to speak with their doctor on vitamin D supplementation as it is known to reduce the incidence of falls among older women (Uusi-Rasi et al., 2015). Another intervention that the program provides is preliminary and follow-up interviews with Balance for Life leaders and regular check-in calls (NCOA, 2017).
Program Costs
Balance for Life workshops are offered to participants at US$ 210 per session. All meet-ups and workshops are conducted at Lake Forest Nursing Center. Other organizations interested in the program can purchase a license to train Balance for Life leaders and conduct Balance for Life workshops. Resource requirements include, but are not limited to, facilities with space for screening and exercise activities, name tags, pens and pencils, registration questionnaire, home safety checklists, referral forms, community resource materials, and Balance for Life guide.
Marketing Plan
In order to market the program among older adults, 30-second advertisements on Fox News TV channel will be purchased. Moreover, all residential and nursing homes in the area will be informed about the program with the help of colorful leaflets.
Conclusion
The paper presented evidence-based falls prevention program the primary goal of which is to reduce the incidence of falls for frail older adults by 50 percent. Balance for Life is also designed to reduce stress and increase the self-esteem of the participants.
References
Carande-Kulis, V., Stevens, J., Florence, C., Beattie, B., & Arias, I. (2015). A cost–benefit analysis of three older adult fall prevention interventions. Journal of Safety Research, 52(1), 65-70.
Gao, Q., Leung, A., Yang, Y., Wei, Q., Guan, M., Jia, C.,…He, C. (2014). Effects of Tai Chi on balance and fall prevention in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 28(8), 748-753.
GRS. (2013). Falls
NCOA. (2017). Evidence-based falls prevention programs. Web.
Uusi-Rasi, K., Patil, R., Karinkanta, S., Kannus, P., Tokola, K., Lamberg-Allardt, C.,…Sievänen, H. (2015). Exercise and Vitamin D in Fall Prevention Among Older Women. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(5), 703.