Brain Ropp, the RSVP project director in Wenatchee, Washington was approached by the Injury Prevention Coordinator of the North Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council and told that over half of all non-fatal injury hospitalizations are due to falls, and over 75 percent of these hospitalizations involved people age 55 and older.

For Brian, an active bike rider (both pedal and motorized) he was shocked to learn that the number of hospitalizations for falls exceeded those of motor vehicle crashes by a factor of four.

While we know that falls are a major threat to the health and independence of older adults, what could this RSVP project do to be part of the solution? Brian took on a leadership role and The North Central Washington Senior Falls Prevention Coalition was established to address falls in older adults as they are the single greatest cause of non-fatal hospitalizations in the North Central Region in the state of Washington. The scope of the project is to collect data from a community perception survey, facilitate a Stay Active and Independent for Life exercise instructor training, establish weekly exercise classes for age 65 and older residents, and host a Senior Fall Prevention Community Forum.

If you are interested in developing a similar type program, please fell free to use any of the following.

Project Proposal: Senior Falls Prevention Community Coalition and Education Project.

1.Problem Being Addressed: Unintentional falls is the single greatest cause of injuries and injury hospitalization in Washington State. According to Washington State DOH data, in the years 2000-2004, 84,883 non-fatal hospitalizations in the state were attributed to falls. This number accounts for over half of all non-fatal injury hospitalizations. Over 75 percent of these hospitalizations involved people age 65 and older. Data supports that approximately 1/3 of older adults will fall at least once in a year and 1:10 falls result in injury requiring hospitalization. Falls are a major threat to the health and independence of older adults. Falls risk factors continue to increase with every decade of aging.

The American Geriatric Society has identified the most common health and aging related falls risk factors as being: Muscle weakness, history of falls, gait deficit, assistive device use, visual deficit, arthritis, impaired activities of daily living, depression, cognitive impairment, age +80 and over.

A study through CDC funding, conducted by Washington State Department of Health, with North West Orthopedic Institute and the Spokane Regional Health District showed a statistically significant decrease in fall risk factors of mobility, strength and balance in the control group participating in strength and balance exercise classes 2 or more times a week. This is compelling information that reflects a successful falls risk reduction intervention. With appropriate education and intervention, reducing falls injuries becomes a reality for our aging population.

2.Goals and Objectives: The overall goal of this project is to increase public awareness, provide opportunities for coalition formation and increase the accessibility to the fall prevention components of balance and mobility training in North Central Washington.

Objective 1: Create a strong, committed and sustainable Fall Prevention Coalition. Strategies Include: Host community meetings involving local stakeholders. Secure participation from stakeholders to assist with on-going project emphasis.

Objective 2: Conduct a regional fall prevention need assessment.

Objective 3: Provide education and training at a Community Forum.
Strategies Include: Scheduled community event. Retain speakers to address falls in older adults, as well as age 55+ during a community symposium event. Secure participation of media outlets/marketing specialist for promotions/sponsorship for events and meetings.

Objective 4: Establish Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.) exercise classes in the greater Wenatchee area.
Strategies Include: Offer Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.) 2 day training for fitness instructors/professionals. Classes led by trained and certified instructors held 1-3 times a week at the Senior Center. Personal trainers at fitness clubs offer classes 1-3 times per week. Recruit and train medical facilities and private practice Physical and Occupational therapist to hold classes 1-3 times a week.

3.Evaluation Plan: A pre and post evaluation questionnaire will be given to local and regional stakeholders. An evaluation questionnaire of the Community Falls Forum will be given to each attendee. Quarterly fitness checks and SAIL class evaluation questionnaire will be obtained from class participants. Yearly report will be compiled including evaluation data, copies will be provided to local and regional stakeholders.