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PREVENTION TEAMS

– Dog Bites	– Drowning/Submersion Injuries	– Falls
– Fires/Burns	– Motor Vehicle Crashes	– Poisoning
– Traumatic Brain/Spinal Cord Injury	– Violent Injury

Prevention of Fall Injuries Across the Lifespan Team

Our Purpose and Why remain the same

• 2023 data from the Division of Public Health’s State Trauma Registry indicates that 67.7% of traumatic falls occur in those 65 years and older.
  • In 2023, 26.5% of falls in those 65 years and older resulted in a head injury.
  • Delaware men have disproportionately more falls than women aged 5-50.
• Change “Nationally in 2010” to “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022:”
  • Medical costs for unintentional, fatal falls have increased 133% since 2015 to a total of $1.76 billion.
  • The combined medical and work loss costs of non-fatal, unintentional falls requiring hospitalization was $104.89 billion. This is an approximate increase of 127% since 2015.
  • (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/wisqars/cost/)

Please choose from one of the following categories:

Delawareans	Medical Professionals	Policy Leaders
Fall Prevention Tips for Parents Around the House Senior Fall Prevention Brochures Matter of Balance Classes	Fall Fact Sheet for Medical Professionals Injury Prevention Tips STEADI Program Explanation and Link Move for Better Balance National Council on Injury (NCOA)	Activities Constituents at Risk Financial Costs Proven Programs

Delawareans

Falls are:

• The Leading Cause of Injury in the USA.
• A Leading Cause of DEATH in the USA for the Young and Old
• Occur Mainly in Children and 65+ Year Olds but ANYONE is at Risk
• PREVENTABLE!

Parent Quick Tips:

• Babies and Toddlers:
  • Beware of heights – do not leave children unattended on items such as a changing table or other furniture
  • Put edge protectors on sharp furniture and fireplace corners
  • Use safety belts in car seats, strollers, grocery carts, etc.
  • Stairs: Keep them clear and use Safety Gates
  • Windows: Keep them locked and screens in place
• All Ages:
  • Wear Helmets when Biking, Skiing, Skating or Skate Boarding
  • Visit This Site for Information on Properly Fitting a Bike Helmet
  • Which Helmet for Which Activity?
• Additional Resources
  • Visit Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children’s Website 
  • Specific Fall Prevention Information
  • Mayo Clinic also has great information
  • Preventing Falls at Home

Senior Fall Prevention:

• Falls are the Leading Cause of Injuries and Injury-Related Deaths for Seniors
• Falls are PREVENTABLE
• Fear of Falling Can Lead to Depression, Isolation, and Falls
• Plan Ahead For What You Will Do If you Fall at Home
• Prevention:
  • Exercise Regularly (Tai Chi, Moving for Better Balance, Walking – Anything To Increase Strength and Practice Balance)
  • Have a Doctor or Pharmacist Review Your Medications At Least Once a Year
  • Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly
  • Remove Tripping Hazards in Your Home
• Matter of Balance Classes are Free and Offered Throughout the State. Fall Prevention and Exercise Information is Taught.
  • For A Class Near You, Call 302-255-9878
  • Matter of Balance Brochure
• Home Safety and Fall Prevention Brochures from the CDC
  • Check for Safety – English | What You Can Do – English
  • Check for Safety – Spanish | What You Can Do – Spanish
  • Check for Safety – Chinese | What You Can Do – Chinese
• Fall Plan: Especially Important If You Live Alone
  • Without a Plan, You Might Be On the Floor for Hours or Days
  • Consider Whether You Need an Medical Alert System
  • Consider Who You Can Contact and HOW You Might Contact Them – Especially If You Cannot Get Up
  • Have Someone Check On You Daily Either By Phone Or In Person
  • Think How You Might Stay Warm While You Wait For Help
  • If You Are Not Injured, Learn How to Get Up Safely
    • Prepare: Look around for a sturdy piece of furniture, or the bottom of a staircase. Do not try and stand on your own. Roll over onto your side by turning your head in the direction you are trying to roll, then move your shoulders, arm, hips, and finally your leg over.
    • Rise: When you are ready to rise, push your body up. Lift your head up and pause for a few moments to steady yourself. Slowly get up on your hands and knees and crawl to a sturdy chair. Lastly, place your hands on the seat of the chair and slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor.
    • Sit: Keep the other leg bent with the knee on the floor. From this kneeling position, slowly rise and turn your body to sit in the chair. Sit for a few minutes before you try and do anything else.
  • If You Are Injured, Seek Medical Attention
  • IF YOU ARE ON A BLOOD THINNER: Contact Your Doctor Promptly, Especially If you Hit Your Head or Have Noticeable Swelling or Bruising. Go to an Emergency Department Immediately If You Have Nausea, Vomiting, Vision Change, Change in Your Alertness, Headache, or Neck Pain.
• Additional Resources: 
  • National Institute of Health
  • National Safety Council

Around the Home For All Ages:

• Have Clear Paths Around Furniture
• Use Slip Resistant Mats in Kitchen and Bathrooms
• Install Handrails on Stairs and Provide Extra Lighting
• Outside: Repair Uneven Surfaces on Sidewalks, Patios, Decks and Use Anti-slip Paint on Step

Ladder Do’s and Dont’s

• Do Not Use a Ladder When Intoxicated, Dizzy or Ill
• Do Not Use a Ladder in High Winds or Storms
• The Ladder Must Be The Right Size for the Job
• More Good Advice:
  • Basic Ladder Safety from The American Ladder Institute

Medical Professionals

• Falls are a Leading Cause of Nonfatal Injuries and a Leading Cause of Injury Related Deaths. (See Statistics Section)
  • Educate Parents Regarding Fall Prevention in Their Children
  • Encourage Appropriate Helmet use
  • Instructions for Properly Fitting a Bike Helmet
• Information and Other Resources For Senior Fall Prevention on an Individual and Community Level Are Available:
  • The CDC Website
  • The National Council on Aging Website
• CDC Offers a Program For Primary Care Providers: STEADI (Stop Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries). Get Your Free Resources
  • NOTE: Scroll to the “Use Validated Tools to Assess Your Patients’ Falls Risk Factors” on the Main Steadi Page Above to Learn How to Perform the “Timed Up and Go” (TUG), “30 Second Chair Stand Test” and the “4 Stage Balance Test”
• The CDC Has Compiled a Compendium Of Effective Fall Prevention Programs For Community-Based Older Adults
• See the Delawarean Section for More Information and Resources.

Policy Leaders/Legislature

• Falls are a Leading Cause of Injury and Death and are PREVENTABLE!
• Based on CDC data, the average medical cost for unintentional fall-related death in 2010 is $38,925 per incident.
• CDC Data Shows that Nationally in 2014, There was a Cost of Fall Injury in People 65 years old and older of $50 billion on medical costs
• CDC Data showed Delaware’s Total Cost of Older Adult Falls in 2014 was $162,000,000.
• Delaware’s Population of Seniors Is Projected To Become One of The Highest Nationally—Some Special Senior Facts:
  • 1 out of 4 Older Adults Falls Each Year
  • One out of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.  these injuries make it hard to get around or live independently and increase risk of early death
  • People Can Develop A Fear of Falling Which Leads to Limited Activity. This Leads to Decreased Mobility and Decreased Physical Fitness and An Increased Risk of FallingAbove Facts About Senior Falls are from the CDC
• Policies That Help Decrease Falls and Their Associated Sequela:
  • Fiscally Support Primary Health Care Providers To Assess and Educate Their Senior-Aged Population on Fall Prevention
  • Encourage Helmet/Protective Equipment Use in All Age Groups
  • Support Home Safety Assessments and Modifications
  • Promote Physical Activity
• The CDC Has Compiled a Compendium Of Effective Fall Prevention Programs For Community-Based Older Adults

Statistics:

Delaware Statistics

• Delaware fall statistics 2012-20016

CDC Statistics

• National Estimates of the 10 Leading Causes of Nonfatal Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments, United States-2011–Falls are Leading Cause in the Majority of Age Groups and the #1 Cause of Nonfatal Injuries Treated in ED’s.
• 2010 Causes of Death by Age Group : Unintentional Injuries are a Primary Cause (#4 out of 10)
• 10 Leading Causes of Injury Deaths by Age Group Highlighting Unintentional Injury Deaths, United States – 2010: Falls are Leading Cause in the 65+ Age Group and the Third Leading Cause of Unintentional Injury Death

Fall Prevention Team Members/Agencies:

• Christiana Care Health System’s Christiana Hospital
• Christiana Care Health System’s Wilmington Hospital
• Bayhealth
• Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
• Ingleside Retirement Apartments
• Disabled American Veterans
• Delaware Department of Aging