various stakeholder groups. This task force will begin by identifying the existing program elements that include what is currently being done within each community and how the rate of falls is being calculated and measured. An established data collection method is very important as the data and fall rate will provide insight regarding the program and whether new solutions are producing the desired outcomes. A third major function of the task force is to review best practices, current research and technology to learn about new solutions and innovations that may be incorporated into the company’s program.


The individualized plan focuses on whether or not the resident is a fall risk, whereas a company-wide program begins with the understanding that all residents are at risk for falling


It is important to distinguish between a company-wide falls management program and an individualized falls management service plan for a resident. The individualized plan focuses on whether or not the resident is a fall risk, whereas a company- wide program begins with the understanding that all residents are at risk for falling and, therefore, the community needs to put in place general measures to address the extrinsic, those occurring outside of the resident, fall risk factors. A comprehensive company-wide program includes the extrinsic factors and the intrinsic factors, those factors that are unique to the resident, that contribute to her or his risk. Intrinsic factors are addressed with interventions that are specific to the resident’s needs.


Components of a Falls Management Program


In order to identify areas that may need to be developed or improved, it is helpful to compile a list of essential components that make up a comprehensive company-wide falls management program. The list can be used by the task force to conduct a gap analysis by comparing the materials and practices that are in place. This will aid in recognizing and prioritizing opportunities for improvement. An example of a list of components for a company-wide program includes the following categories:


I. Definition of a Fall II. Fall Risk Assessment for Residents (Intrinsic Factors) III. Environmental (Extrinsic Factors) Risk Assessment IV. Responsibilities of Staff V.


Intervention Strategies


VI. Post-Fall Procedures and Management VII. Documentation VIII. Internal Reporting


Best practices


Because falls in older adults is such a significant issue, many researchers and thought leaders are continuously looking for practices that can support falls management initiatives. Two concepts being used and that have proven to have a positive impact on falls management are the post-fall huddle and managing expectations.


There are many articles written on the post-fall huddle that can be reviewed to provide the background, theory and detailed process. In general, the reason for conducting a post-fall huddle is to identify apparent cause(s) for a fall while the incident is fresh and the staff involved is available. By reviewing the circumstances of the fall immediately after it happened, with the staff who were working with the resident at the time, it has been demonstrated that the actions to prevent another fall or injury are implemented more quickly and they are more specific to the underlying cause(s). The activities involved in the post-fall huddle include:


Post-fall huddle ƒƒ


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various stakeholder groups. This t identifying the existing program el is currently being done within each rate of falls is being calculated and data collection method is very imp rate will provide insight regarding t new solutions are producing the d major function of the task force is current research and technology t and innovations that may be incorp program.


The individualized plan focuses on is a fall risk, whereas a company-w understanding that all residents are


A brief gathering of staff immediately after a resident fall event


Convenes within 15 minutes once the resident is stabilized Led by the care leader responsible for the resident


Include the resident when possible; apologize to the resident and explain how the team will work with him/her to avoid another fall or injury


Requires group discussion to learn what happened Uses discovery to determine apparent cause of the fall


It is important to distinguish betwe management program and an indiv service plan for a resident. The ind whether or not the resident is a fa wide program begins with the und are at risk for falling and, therefore to put in place general measures t those occurring outside of the res comprehensive company-wide pro factors and the intrinsic factors, th to the resident, that contribute to h factors are addressed with interve the resident’s needs.


Components of a Falls Man


Inform the team and resident about interventions that can help avoid another fall or an injury from a fall


Another concept viewed as effective for falls management is the concept of managing expectations. This concept is based on the idea that prospects and their families may conclude or be led to believe that once the prospect moves in they will never fall again. This lack of understanding about fall management and fall risks in older adults is bound to happen unless the community leaders and their sales teams are scripted and trained on how to speak to prospects, residents and families about falls. When this subject is discussed from the start, the community can begin communication about safety and measures that are taken to manage the fall risk.


In order to identify areas that may or improved, it is helpful to compile components that make up a comp falls management program. The lis force to conduct a gap analysis by and practices that are in place. Th and prioritizing opportunities for im of a list of components for a comp the following categories:


I. Definition of a Fall II. Fall Risk Assessment for Resid III. Environmental (Extrinsic Facto IV. Responsibilities of Staff V.


Intervention Strategies


VI. Post-Fall Procedures and Man VII. Documentation VIII. Internal Reporting


2 Company-wide Falls Management 2 Company-wide Falls Management


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