Comprehensive Approach to Fall Prevention Produces Measurable Improvements

Crosby Commons’ Friends Fighting Falls program was named an ALFA 2012 Best of the Best Program to Spotlight for its innovative approach to fall prevention. The program utilizes physical therapy, guest lectures, and other tools to decrease the rate of falls in its community.

ALFA 2012 Best of the Best Program to Spotlight

Friends Fighting Falls is a three-pronged fall prevention effort involving education, evaluation, and exercise that came about when Crosby Commons residents became alarmed about the arrival of ambulances to help with lift transfers. “Someone simply asked the question, ‘Isn’t there something we can do about these falls?’” says Director Lois Poutney.

Crosby Commons’ laudable answer was to take a whole-community approach. The program includes individual fall risk evaluations by local physical therapy students that help identify each resident’s particular fall risks; guest lectures on fall prevention; use of the buddy system to encourage participation in strength and balance exercise classes; eyeglass-cleaning stations throughout the community; and other tactics. Many residents have seen measurable improvements; 89 percent remained fall-free.

The above best practice was recognized as an ALFA 2012 Best of the Best Program to Spotlight. Do you have a best practice, product, service or solution at your community or company that is advancing excellence in senior living? The Call for Nominations for the ALFA 2013 Best of the Best Awards will begin in November. Visit alfa.org/bestofthebest to read more best practices.

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