June 2003

Falls program keeps Teresa on her feet

Teresa, 70, of Airport West, believes the new community falls prevention program has helped prevent her having another fall.

Teresa fell over the hose in her front yard and was treated for injuries at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Emergency Department in April.

RMH Falls Care Coordinator Toni Tosti contacted Teresa and enrolled her in the Falls Prevention Program.

Community Falls Care Coordinator Heather Wallach then visited Teresa in her home, assessed her risk of falling again and suggested ways to reduce this risk.

Ms Wallach’s assessment involved a vision check and balance and strength test.

Ms Wallach provided Teresa with information from Vision Australia to assist with impaired vision and recommended that she visit the physiotherapist at Doutta Galla Community Health Service to increase her strength and flexibility.

To reduce her risk of falling, Teresa also made several changes in her home on Ms Wallach’s advice.

She moved plants and other objects away from her pathways and plans to install a sensor light on her front porch for safer access at night.

Ms Wallach also arranged for a Moonee Valley City Council home handyman to repair a cracked kitchen tile and her side gate, so that it shuts properly.

As part of Teresa’s comprehensive care, Ms Wallach liaised with Teresa’s GP about her involvement in the program and provided a copy of her recommendations and referrals.

‘At first I thought that I didn’t need any help but there were quite a few things around my home that needed changing,’ Teresa said.

‘It was good to have all the risks of falling pointed out and then the referrals for help.’

Older people who have had a fall are two-thirds more likely to have another fall within 12 months.

About 40–60 per cent of falls lead to injuries of which five to six per cent are major—such as hip fractures—significantly increasing a patient’s risk of dying.

The Falls Prevention Program is part of Victorian Government-funded Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP).

HARP enables hospitals and community services to reduce the risk of people with complex or chronic conditions needing to visit the Emergency Department or be admitted to hospital, by providing services in the community to maximise health and wellbeing.

The Falls Prevention Program is provided by the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), National Ageing Research Institute, Moreland Community Health Service (CHS) and Doutta Galla CHS.

It was developed in collaboration with the Melbourne and North West Melbourne Divisions of General Practice.