Strategic plan part B of Nurs 551, week 4, community plan
Introduction:
World Health Organization reports that falling in older people is a serious public health problem. It can lead to severe injuries including head trauma, fractures and death. The causes of falls in the elderly can be influenced by a variety of factors including environmental, physiological and sociological ones, such as declining cognitive and physical abilities, impaired vision or hearing, and unsanitary living conditions. Falling is the most common cause of injury in older adults, and it can be fatal or non-fatal. In the United States the cost to society of this type of accident has been estimated at $50 billion per year (CDC, 2021). The goal of this document is to formulate a strategy for preventing falls among elderly people at the local level. It takes into account health literacy and other factors such as socioeconomics, culture, etc.
Prevalence:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the United States one-fourth of adults 65 and older fall each year. Falling is the most common cause for injury related deaths for this group. (CDC, 2021). The prevalence of elderly falls varies from country to country, and is a major issue around the globe.
Costs:
According to the CDC (CDC, 2021), the cost of elderly falls is estimated at $50 billion per year in the United States. The costs include medical bills, care for the elderly, lost productivity, as well as long-term and short-term care. The cost of falling in the elderly is estimated to be $50 billion annually, which includes medical expenses, long-term care and lost productivity (CDC, 2021).
Advanced Practice Roles and management Strategies
Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice professionals can be vital in the community in preventing falls among the elderly. Nurse practitioners may conduct falls risk assessments, design personalized care plans and teach patients and their family members about strategies for fall prevention. Community-level management strategies can include working with local organizations, adopting evidence-based programs for fall prevention, and advocating changes in policy.
Important Community Resources and Social Resources
Lack of support from the community, lack of healthcare and inadequate housing are all factors that can negatively impact elderly falls. Community-based groups that offer fall prevention education and programs, home modifications, and transportation services are positive resources.
Improved Community Services
Fall prevention services in communities can be enhanced by providing home safety assessment, home modification, transportation, and community based fall prevention programmes.
Strategic Plan
Goal 1: To increase awareness about fall prevention among older residents of the community by focusing on education and outreach.
Objective 1: Develop materials to educate the public on the best ways to prevent falls, tailored for the needs of their community in terms of health literacy and cultural diversity. Objective 2: To disseminate the educational materials via community-based groups, seniors centers, and health care facilities. Goal 3: To improve healthcare provider’s recognition and management fall risks in patients, provide fall prevention education.
Objective 2: Reduce the number of elderly people who fall by implementing evidence-based programs for fall prevention in your community.
Objective 1: Determine evidence-based programs for fall prevention that will be appropriate in the community. Examples include the Otago Exercise Program. Goal 2: Work with organizations within the community to develop fall prevention programmes. Evaluation of effectiveness of fall-prevention programs, and modification as needed to meet community needs.
Objective 3: Improve access to services such as home modifications and safety inspections for the elderly in your community.
Goal 1: Develop a partnership with organizations in the community to offer home modifications and safety assessments to residents who qualify. Objective 2: Establish a referral network to link elderly residents with local home modification services. Objection 3: Advocate for changes in policy that will support services to modify homes for elderly people.