Bare grass and black ice pocketed Marie and Bernhard Zettler’s front yard as they turned into their driveway. It was one of those March mornings that seems warmer than it is, as everyone waits for spring to arrive. “Bernhard stepped out to pick up some flyers, and suddenly he was on the ground,” recalls Marie. Bernhard, 86, suffered a severe fracture to his elbow, which required surgery. And that began the journey which thousands of Canadians experience after a fall; from Emergency department visits to multiple trips to see specialists, Marie and Bernhard would be dealing with that brief misstep for weeks. Above photo pexels.com.
Falls among older adults are a significant public health concern, with about a third of individuals over 65 experiencing a fall each year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In Canada, these incidents are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and deaths in this age group, posing severe challenges to public health systems and families alike.
Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team (OVOHT) partners deal with fall-related health concerns every day. Now, they have an opportunity to help prevent falls before they happen, thanks to several initiatives funded under the Enabling Aging in Place (EAIP) Collaborative. This program, through Healthcare Excellence Canada, is designed to create an environment that supports seniors in maintaining their independence and navigating healthcare more effectively.
Pembroke Regional Hospital is one of 25 community organizations providing support and education regarding falls. “Fall prevention is an integral part of every patient care plan,” says Lisa Bradley, Clinical Director for the hospital’s Rehabilitation department, Medical Program and Ambulatory Clinics. “No matter where you enter into the hospital, you are most likely to be screened for fall prevention.” The hospital has a comprehensive process in place to identify those at risk and they have robust education programs to encourage safe mobility.
While Pembroke Regional Hospital focuses on immediate patient safety and prevention during hospital stays, the OVOHT’s strategy involves several key components across multiple partners:
- Interprofessional First-Contact Pathways: By adopting a “first-contact” approach, various healthcare professionals—from primary care doctors to specialists in geriatrics and rehabilitation, quickly identify at-risk individuals, directing them to appropriate preventive services and rehabilitation.
- Community and Clinical Coordination: OVOHT partners emphasize the importance of seamless communication and referral processes among healthcare providers to ensure that seniors receive consistent and comprehensive care across various services.
- Education and Community Engagement: Extensive training and public engagement efforts aim to raise awareness about fall prevention and empower seniors and their caregivers with the knowledge and tools to mitigate fall risks.
As the aging population grows, these coordinated efforts between hospital settings and community programs are essential.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of making information about medical conditions and drug side effects more prominent in fall prevention materials,” says Marie. “It’s crucial for seniors like us to understand how our health conditions and the medications we take contribute to our fall risk.”
Through comprehensive planning, community involvement, and targeted education, the OVOHT is leading the way in transforming how we think about and manage the risks of falls among the aging population.
Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team(2024,Oct.15) Standing Strong: New Funding for Preventing Falls Among Seniors [media release]
