Fall Factors Prevention Program
For Seniors 65 Years And Older
Research conducted at Harborview Injury Prevention and
Research Center found that falls in older adults in Washington State cost more
than $53 million a year in hospital costs.
In King County, falls are the leading cause of injury death for people 65 years
and older according to the Central Region Emergency Medical Services Trauma
Registry
For the past five years, the Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council has
funded the King County Fire & Life Safety Association (KCFLSA) to implement the
Fall Factors Prevention Program. This program is for people 65 years and older,
are low-income, and have fallen at least once during the past year or is at high
risk of falling.
EMS personnel coordinates client referrals that are generated by the Mayor's
Office on Aging, Valley Medical Center Transitional Care Unit, DSHS, Senior
Services of Seattle/King County, Aging and Disability, Swedish Hospital,
Providence Hospital, Highline Hospital and Physical Therapy, Visiting Nurse
Services, Virginia Mason Hospital, VA Hospital, and Group Health. These
referrals are then sent to the appropriate fire departments where firefighters
or Public Fire Educators conduct the home fall hazard evaluation and
install
the necessary "risk reduction devices" (RRD) that may help reduce the risk of
falling. RRD's consist of: tub grab bars, toilet grab bars, shower seats, rug
slips, bath mats, night lights, tread tape, smoke alarms, and carpet tape.
For more information, contact your local fire department or Alan Abe, King
County Emergency Medical Services at
Alan.Abe@METROKC.GOV
Tub grab bars, shower chairs and shower heads, rug slips, night lights, bed assists and smoke detectors are just few of the "Risk Reduction Devices" available to seniors.
.