Elderly People and the Risks of Falling

Preventing Falls: A Program to Address Elderly Falls Using the Strategy of Education

The goal of this program is to prevent elderly persons from experiencing falls, which can have severe impacts on their health. Falls are one of the most dangerous experiences an elderly person can suffer (Owen, 1985) and so it is important not only for them to be aware of the dangers around them but also for others who care for them or who know them to be aware of how we could help to prevent falls (American Institute of Architects Foundation, 1986). The main goal of this program, therefore, is to spread knowledge and education about elderly fall risks and to adopt preventative measures that can be adopted both by the elderly and by their caretakers, children, neighbors, friends, loved ones -- in short, anyone who comes into contact with them and cares to help them avoid falling.

The first objective of this program is to provide both group and individual classes in which persons can receive basic training in prevention methods. A second objective is to instruct elderly persons in exercises that can help to reduce the risk of falling: these exercises include Tai Chi, balancing training and balancing exercises (CDC, 2008, p. 7). A third objective is to highlight the information regarding falls and falls-injury data that has been made available by the World Health Organization regarding older persons and their risk of injuring themselves through falling; this material will help to drive home the importance of this program and the need for all persons to orient themselves to being mindful of these risks (Al-Faisal, 2006, p. 6). The fourth objective will be to provide literature in the form of pamphlets that provide a list of bullet-points to remember that highlight risks along with pictures that make this information easy to digest and pass around to others. The pamphlets will also include local and national numbers for emergency contact and for other helpful organizations.

The resources required for this program will be educators, trainers, organizers, power point presentations, enough chairs in an auditorium, and lunch provisions. Proper lighting will also be important, as will be directional staff that can help with arrivals and seating. Phone staff will also be required for booking reservations, and a publishing/marketing staff will also be necessary in order to get the word out about the program so that a healthy response can be achieved. Material to create pamphlets with the relevant information on them will also be needed, and this will include printing materials and the necessary staff for arranging the material in an easy to read format for young and old.

The target group will include elderly persons themselves, caretakers of the elderly, family of the elderly, young persons who have elderly parents or grandparents, nurse practitioners, and friends of elderly persons. Thus, the audience would be a healthy mix of young and old, professional and non-professional, allowing for a good discussion group to materialize.