SAVE A LIFE

Brian Schneebeli

HOW SERIOUS IS A FALL? • 1.4 million people 65 or older live in nursing home

• 2030, this number is going to more than double to 3 million

• A nursing home with 100 beds report 100 to 200 falls a year

• On average 1,800 people die from falls a year, now double that to 3,600!

• 1 and every 3 people in nursing homes will fall and 17% and up will be seriously injured or could death

WHY SUCH A PHENOMENON?

• Falls happen for many reasons:

• Flexibility: linked to less range of motion

• Strength: not being able to hold ones weight anymore for extended time

• Range of Motion: can’t get proper footing to step

• Psychotropic drugs: 2 times more likely to fall when taking, effects nervous system

WHAT STATES ARE AT BIGGEST

RISK

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

EXERCISE!!!!

• Stretching: can increase knee range of motion 60 degrees

• Water exercises: can provide resistance training, strengthen/condition, and a quicker recovery time from falls

• Interactive dance including: ballet, Zumba, line dancing and yoga to increase flexibility and balance

• Exercise: increase endorphins to increase self-esteem to reduce perception of pain

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

• Life Alert on a nursing home scale

• Easy to reach call bells

• Handles to help one’s self

• Fall risk bracelets

• Diet: includes in vitamin D, C, and A, magnesium, leafy green, and drink 1.7 liters of water a day if not even thirsty

COST • Dance Therapist: $38,000 a year

• Aqua Therapist from $80 to $200 dollars a visit

• Instructional videos: any where from $11 to $48

• Equipment: varies by price

• Fall prevention packets for reading

and understanding of the risks

• But what is money compared to life?

TAKING ACTION!

• Joy of motion: “Doctors of one of our residents gave her a good report at her last visit. She and her doctor believe that the Joy of Motion program has been instrumental in her progress”- Delta Towers Community

• Harrison Terrace: for Alzheimer and balance

• Healthy Steps: program 6 weeks long around the country go to nursing home and help lift spirits and increase range of motion

• Water: New York pay nursing homes to have pools for outcome of care of Medicaid residents

WATER YOU WAITING FOR!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

WORK CITED

• Fall Risk assessment in very old males and females living in nursing homes

• JoyoMotion.org

• Can social dancing prevent falls in older adults? a protocol of the Dance, Aging, Cognition, Economics (Dance) fall prevention randomised controlled trial

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/155020-dance-exercise-for-seniors/

• http://www.ncoa.org/press-room/fact-sheets/falls-prevention-fact-sheet.html