STAYING ACTIVE AND STAYING ACTIVE & FALLS FREE WITH

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYHeader

©Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

WELCOME

• Today’s presenter– Speaker inserts name, credentials and

contact information here

PRESENTATION GOALS

• By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Recognize that most falls among older adults result from interacting risk factors

• Describe how occupational therapy practitioners can help you reduce your risk of falls

• Identify strategies and resources that you can use to reduce your risk for falls.

WHY DO FALLS HAPPEN?

INTERACTING FALLS RISK FACTORS

•Physical risk factors: Changes in your body that increase your risk for a fall

•Behavioral risk factors: Things we do or don’t do that increase our fall risk

•Environmental risk factors: Hazards in our home or community

Most falls experienced by older adults result from interacting risk factors

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapy practitioners

•Help people of every age do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

•Focus on daily activities to help people remain as independent as possible despite injury, illness, or disability.

ABOUT OCCUPATIONS

• The term “occupation” refers to a person’s involvement in meaningful activities.

• For many, “occupations” are linked to important life roles and reflect our values and identities.

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ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN FALLS PREVENTION

• Occupational therapy practitioners teach people who are at risk for falls how to safely do things that are important to them.

ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN FALLS PREVENTION

• Occupational therapy practitioners work with people after a fall-related injury to help them return to the things they need and want to do.

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ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN FALLS PREVENTION

• Occupational therapy can focus on:– Improving skills and

abilities– Modifying activities to

increase safety– Changing the environment

to reduce falls risk

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MINIMIZING YOUR RISK FACTORS

MINIMIZING YOUR RISK FACTORS WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS: MEDICATIONS

• Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about medications and how they make you feel.

• Occupational therapy practitioners can help you incorporate a medication plan into your everyday routine.

PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS: VISION

– Teaching skills and strategies to complete daily tasks

– Recommending special devices and products

– Helping to make the home environment safer

• Have your vision checked regularly by an eye doctor

• Occupational therapy practitioners help people with vision issues by

PHYSICAL RISK FACTORS: BALANCE

• Occupational therapy practitioners help people improve balance and learn more about what their bodies can and cannot do.

• The key is to maintain an active lifestyle.

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BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS

• It is important to stop before an activity, consider whether or not it is safe, and make a plan that reduces your risk of a fall.

• Occupational therapy can help people determine what is already safe and make many other activities as safe as possible.

BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS

What could this woman be doing differently to put her at less of a risk for a fall?

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS

What are the fall risks in this bedroom?P

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS

• An occupational therapy home safety assessment involves carefully assessing a person’s ability and determining whether the home environment fits the person and supports independence.

FALLS PREVENTION REFLECTION

• What might you do or what have you done in the past to protect yourself from falls?

• Do you have tips to share that we haven’t covered?

SUMMARY OF STRATEGIES TO REDUCE FALLS RISK

– Talk to physicians and pharmacists about medications

– Get an eye exam regularly– Maintain a healthy sleep schedule– Stay active and exercise regularly – Stay hydrated – Find alternatives for potentially risky behaviors– Identify and eliminate fall hazards in the home

CONCLUSION

• Remember…– Falls can be prevented

– Take charge of your health and utilize your resources

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AUTHORS

Elizabeth W. Peterson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Clinical Professor

Director of Professional Education

University of Illinois at Chicago

(Bonita) Lynn Beattie, PT, MPT, MHA

Vice President,  Injury Prevention

Lead, Falls Free Initiative

Center for Healthy Aging

National Council on Aging

©Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois