Safe Communities Collaborative

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Safe Communities Collaborative Led by National
Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter
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• The Challenge Falls in the US and NE
• Leading cause of injury and injury death age
  65 in US and NE
• 1 out of every 3 seniors experiences a fall
  annually
• 2007- 1,927,766 hospital emergency depts. (65)
• 2007- 680,772 (55 65)
• Vestibular dysfunction characterized by vertigo
  and imbalance owing to disturbances in gaze and
  postural stability

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• The Challenge Falls in the US and NE
• 20 30 of those falling suffer
• Moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip
  fractures, head trauma
• Most common cause of traumatic brain injuries
• Most common fractures to spine, hip, forearm, leg
  ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand

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• The Challenge Falls in the US and NE
• Those falling suffer
• Fear of falling
• Limit activities leading to reduced mobility,
  physical fitness and increasing actual risk of
  falling

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• The Challenge It Costs Us!
• Medicare/Medicaid for age 65 and older who fall
• 27,300,000,000 total cost 2004
• 43,800,000,000 anticipated 2020

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• The Challenge in greater Omaha 5 county area
• 74,000 older adults
• About 25,000 will fall each year
• About 6,000 will never recover and eventually die
  from the results
• About 19,000 painful, debilitating, costly

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• The Response
• Research
• Goals and Objectives
• Falls Free National Action Plan
• NE Health and Human Services Best Practices for
  Unintentional Injuries Relating to Fall
  Prevention
• NSC Safety Agenda for the Nation
• Healthy People 2020
• F1RST

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• The Organization F1RST
• Lead Organization and Partners
• National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter
• Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
• Greater Omaha Chapter, National Safety Council
• United Way of the Midlands
• University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Visiting Nurse Association
• Health Departments, 5 counties
• Washington, Cass, Sarpy, Douglas, Pottawattamie,
  Co. Bluffs
• Task Group Chairs

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• Partners Responsibilities
• Risk Area Task Groups/Trainers (70 orgs)
• Medical Management
• Home Safety and Modifications
• Physical Activity and Mobility
• Cross Cutting Issues
• Environmental Issues

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• Activities 2005 - 2010
• Leadership Committee Formation
• Community-wide invitation
• Task Group Chairs
• Tool Kit developed and distributed
• Web site www.f1rst.org

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• Tool Kit Contents
• More than 6,000 distributed
• Tips from experts
• Balance self test
• How to get up from a fall
• Home safety checklist
• Medication tracker
• Conserving vision adapting to low vision

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• Activities
• Physical Activity and Mobility Task
• Movement Improvement Tai Chi
• 57 instructors, quarterly refreshers
• 100 classes of 24 sessions many ongoing
• 36 locations currently in greater Omaha
• Conduct Balance Tests at Health Fairs
• Demonstrations at Health Fairs, etc.
• Bodies

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• Physical Activity and Mobility Task Group
• A Matter of Balance
• Elizabeth Walker Peterson, Northwestern
• Roybal Institute- Boston
• Reducing Fear of Falling
• 49 instructors

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• Physical Activity and Mobility Task Group
• 2009 National Safety Month
• Memorial Park Demo

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• Physical Activity and Mobility Task Group

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• Medication Management
• Task Group
• How To Guide
• Medication Tracker
• 20,000 distributed by pharmacies,
• VNA , esp. flu season
• Poster message to flu clinics
• Brown Bag Checks
• Prescription Drug Take-Back

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• Home Safety Modification Task roup
• Developed Resource Guide
• Home Mod contractors and design specialists,
  in-home health care, companion care providers,
  equipment resources, govt. resources and physical
  therapists
• Home self-checklist materials
• Students from Creighton and UNO Occupational
  Therapy Classes provide walk through support

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• Home Safety
• Modification Task Group
• Simple Changes You
• Can Make to Keep
• Yourself Safe Where
• You Live
• Real Life Examples

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• Home Safety
• Modification Task Group
• 10,000 copies
• More than 6,000 distributed
• Introduced at 2009 National Falls Prevention Day

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National Falls Prevention Day 2009
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• National Fall Prevention Day 2009

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275 ordered from news release
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• Survey and Evaluation (96/275 responses)
• 45 learned something not known previously
• 64 reminded of forgotten things
• 56made changes as a result
• 83 said video above average and valuable
• 93 said they would pass the video and learning
  forward

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• Cross Cutting Issues Task Group
• Letters and information to Doctors
• Med Management Guide
• Home Safety Checklist
• Family, Inernal, Neurology, Opthamology,
  Orthopedic, Otolaryngology
• Urged to copy and make available for patients

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• Other Activities
• F1rst provided one day conference for the NE
  Assisted Living
• Many speaking engagements/health fairs
• Involved in statewide Falls Coalition
• Partnering with the Nebraska Humane Society to
  create brochure regarding pets and falling to be
  introduced Falls Prevention Day 2010

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• Honors
• Received the Chairs partnership Award from the
  United Way of the Midlands 2009
• Recognized as outstanding Community Safety
  Program by NSC

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• Get Involved Today!
• Bring your expertise and concern to the table
• Join a task group
• Become an instructor
• Provide programs utilizing F1RST resources in
  Movement Improvement Tai Chi and Matter of
  Balance
• Serve as a member of the coalition

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• Get Involved Today!
• We need you to help fight this Silent Epidemic!
• Contact Chris, ccady_at_safenebraska.org
• www.f1rst.org
• 402-896-0454