Fall Prevention & Exercise Programs for Aged Care
Fall Prevention research & preventative strategies for Seniors is on the rise. Falls among older adults cost Australia’s healthcare system $2.5 billion annually and can lead to severe personal consequences.
The World Health Organization recommends that all older adults engage in physical activity to prevent falls and gain a variety of health benefits.
- Lower mortality rates,
- Better cardiovascular health
- Enhanced mental and cognitive well-being
- Improved sleep quality
Secondly, falls are even more common and often more severe in residential aged care homes. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has emphasized the critical need to address falls in these settings. Falls have now become a mandatory quality indicator, influencing the star ratings of nursing homes. Additionally, Indigo Care’s range of Wired and Wireless Fall Prevention equipment can help monitor the movement and calls of their residents, therefore, reducing the number of falls.
Comparatively, recent studies have shown that in in residential aged care homes, catastrophic falls can be avoided by implementing regular exercise and personalized falls prevention plans.
What can you do to improve your Fall Prevention Program?
We recommend a personalized falls prevention plan that includes a regular exercise program tailored to each resident’s specific needs as an effective strategy for preventing falls among older adults in aged care facilities.
The residents must have the physical and mental capacity and be willing to participate. Exercise programs designed for seniors can help prevent falls by improving strength and balance. The key is consistency. For effective fall prevention, ongoing exercise is essential. Evidence suggests that the benefits of exercise diminish or have little lasting impact on falls once the program ends.
An individualized exercise program with balance and resistance training will greatly benefit the resident.
Current research highlights the importance of conducting individual falls risk assessments, enabling staff to make necessary adjustments.
Consequently, falls decreased when interventions like exercise programs, mobility aids, glasses, medication adjustments, or environmental modifications were tailored to each individual’s falls risk assessment.
Facilities must integrate consistent and appropriate exercise with a personalized falls prevention strategy that caregivers and staff can adjust as needed.
Once this happens, the aged care facilities should see a reduction in falls among older adults living in residential care.
Tailored Exercise Care and Fall Prevention Plans:
- Develop personalized care plans that address each resident’s specific risks. For example, provide mobility aids for those with balance issues, or modify medication plans to reduce side effects like dizziness.
- Update care plans regularly as the resident’s condition changes.
- Physical Assessment: Regular assessments of strength, balance and gait can help identify residents who might benefit from physical therapy or other interventions.
Strength and Balance Training:
- Exercise Programs: Implement exercise programs that focus on improving strength, balance, and coordination. Also, activities such as Tai Chi, walking groups, or chair exercises can be beneficial.
- Physiotherapy: Provide access to physiotherapy for residents who need more individualized exercise plans to improve mobility.
Effective falls prevention in aged care is about creating a safe environment, promoting physical health, and ensuring that both staff and residents are aware of the risks and how to manage them. An initiative-taking, resident-centered approach that involves regular assessments, education, and environmental adjustments can significantly reduce the incidence of falls in aged care settings.
