Equipment
What are the safety features on a 4WW
brakes
True or False? Is a resident safe to walk in a dark room without turning the light on.
FALSE. Always ensure that the lights are kept on.
How can residents ask for assistance?
Use a call bell/duress bell.
True or False? Having alcohol with medication is not a risk of falls.
FALSE. Alcohol can interact with the medication that a person is taking which can cause unwanted effects.
Is regular physical activity considered an intervention to prevent falls in the elderly? True or false
True
What is the minimum amount of staff required to use a standing machine
2
A resident has a bunch of tangled wires in the corner of his room. He told you that he is happy to clear it out himself but he is a physical assist x1. What do you do?
Advise him not to clear the wires himself. Let the NUM aware. Fill out a maintenance form instead to have the maintenance person to look into it where he/she will know how to untangle wires safely.
Is fatigue a contributing factor to falls. True or fall
and how can you help reduced fatigue
True
regular rest brakes, safe walking pace, sleep hygiene
Is vitamin D deficiency a contributing factor to falls. True or false
True
What should you do if you find that a resident's mobility needs to be reviewed?
Notify NUM, Referral booklet
Name 2 features of a bed that residents may have if they are a high risk of falls?
Concave mattress, Lo lo bed
List 3 environmental factors that can contribute to the risk of falls
Inadequate lighting, Slippery/wet floors, Cluttered rooms (Too many furniture pieces in one room, no clear pathway to walk around), Loose mats or rugs, Call bell/Duress bell not within reach
Is vitamin D supplements considered a falls prevention strategy?
and
what does vitamin D inhance in the body?
Yes
mobility, muscle endurance, executive functions, posture and balance
List 3 risk factors for falls that are caused by medication changes.
- Starting a medicine
- Stopping a medicine
- Dosage changes
- Alcohol consumption
- Taking 4 or more medicines
In a typical scenario of a resident that is a 1x assist what is involved when transferring the resident from their chair to WC
1. We need to know what mobility aid they use
2. Potentially require a 4WW. Resident pushes up through arms of chair and holds onto 4WW.
3. Resident steps forwards and then makes a turn to the side to create a step transfer
4 Resident slowly lowers themselves with assistance into WC, with one hand on WC.
List 2 reasons why using a standing machine would not be ideal for residents?
- When they are unable to weight bear on their feet.
- Have a cognitive impairment and have difficulty following instructions
- They do not have enough lower body strength to push up and stand
List at least 4 specific pieces of equipment that can be used in wet areas to prevent falls?
shower chair, mobile commode, over toilet frame, hand held shower hose and rails
What would you do if you had a resident whom was a regular rail walker? and is there a difference between how you would approach someone rail walking with a SPS or walker
Inform NUM, Referral to physio or OT
No
Explain how 'Taking 4 or more medicines' may be a risk of medication related falls.
The risk of adverse (unwanted) drug effects and interactions with other drugs increases with number of medicines taken, and this may contribute to the increased risk of falls.
AND/OR
Higher risk of missing doses and getting mixed up with which medicine to take at what time. May end up doubling doses which can also cause a fall.
What precautions do you need to use with a resident who is a 1x assist that wants to access the court yard or balcony?
need to observe the environment to make sure it is accessible for a 4WW or WC and for safety reasons to reduce tripping
assist resident out to balcony or courtyard when deemed safe. Will need regular visual checks
Name 5 aids/equipment that can be used for fall prevention strategies
Concave mattress, Sensor mat, Bed sensor, Chair sensor, Call bell/Duress ball, 4WW, Non-slip socks, Shower chair, Over toilet frame.
List 5 side effects that can result in higher risk of medication related falls.
Agitation, Loss of balance, Blurred vision, Confusion, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Syncope (A sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting), Urgency (Especially if incontinent), Lethargy/tiredness.
What is the common strategy used to prevent fatigue
Energy conservation strategies, including regular rest brakes, sleep hygiene, not over exerting oneself (not pushing yourself in the exercise group)