Worcester Health Dept. Educates the Elderly on Fall Prevention
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
“That’s our hallmark event this week. Each year we try to highlight one component of what we do and how we try to partner with schools and hospitals and local organizations,” said Director of the Dept. of Public Health, Derek Brindisi. “The Mobile Safety Street this week is focusing on seniors 65 and older, with an educational component that trains them to look at certain hazards.”
The department has been working with the UMASS Mobile Safety Street, a mobile educational component that was previously used for youth.
“Traditionally, it had been geared toward children and how to teach them to be safe, crossing the street, and being mindful of road hazards,” Brindisi said. “This year, we were talking the folks with the Mobile, and they wanted to be able to use it more often. We retrofitted it to have a component for the elderly, injury prevention, safety – things like that.”
The week started off with a demonstration at the Millbury Senior Center. The team also stopped at the Worcester Senior Center and plans to go to Millbury, Leicester, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, and Holden.
Hazards that are Overlooked
“As an older adult you might overlook these issues. Certain things become difficult as you get older,” Brindisi said. We’re teaching them to be careful in their homes, use grab bars when getting in and out of their bathrooms, when cooking around the stove. These are basic things, but quite frankly they are overlooked.”
“There’s been a push across the nation to teach fall prevention,” he said. “This department is now working in Millbury, Leicester, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, and Holden due to regionalization, so we’re providing for these towns.”
“We’re trying to weave a lot of these things together. Regionalization is good for bringing Worcester resources to these other communities.”
“Elderly people need to be much more careful as they will have a harder time recovering from injuries,” said Ben Herlinger, owner of Dodge Park Rest Home and the Adult Day Care Services in Worcester. “We asses our residents daily.”
“Because elderly people are more frail than other populations, when they fall they might break a bone. Their recovery is also very slow. If it’s paired with dementia, they’re not able to follow a physical therapist’s instructions. They may die of pneumonia,” he said.
Staying Active, not Fearful
While the hazard of falling is a serious concern for the elderly, Jill Patnode-Krause PT, DPT, GCS at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough is encouraging senior citizens to remain active to combat this risk.
"While a fall can be a devastating, life-altering experience, it is important that older adults view falls with concern but not fear,” she said. “Remaining active is one of the best ways to prevent falls. Stopping favorite activities such as shopping, walking the dog, or gardening can create a more sedentary lifestyle and increase a person's risk for falls. People should talk to their physician or a physical therapist on ways they can modify activities to remain active but safe.”
Patnode-Krause recommended the Matter of Balance program, now available in many communities. The program includes behavioral strategies, environmental tips, and exercise to ensure seniors can remain independent and active for as long as possible. This coupled with community efforts such as this week’s Worcester Public Health Week can only improve the situation.
"There is no 'cookbook solution' to fall prevention,” she said. “It must be a team effort between medical professionals, seniors, families and even business owners. In Massachusetts, fall prevention efforts are happening in all settings that work with both healthy and frail older adults. Now more than ever programs and environmental changes are underway to make communities safer for older adults."
Upcoming Health Initiatives
After Health Week, the Department of Public Health will be promoting responsible prescription drug disposal through their Prescription Take Back Day on April 28th.
“We have this event twice a year where we encourage people to bring back any unused medication,” Brindisi said. “Medications are very hard to dispose of. We have seen a rise in prescription drug use over the years. This is an opportunity to remove prescriptions from the youth and reduce criminal activity.”
Brindisi also urged individuals to use take advantage of their social networking. “We’re be sending prevention tips and advice on how to staying active, eating healthy, not smoking, and other preventable causes of illness.”
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