The document discusses falls among older adults, noting that 1 in 3 adults aged 65 and older fall each year, with 20-30% suffering moderate to severe injuries. Falls are costly, with medical costs for fall injuries among older adults increasing to $34 billion in 2013. The costs of fall injuries rise with age and are higher for women. The document provides examples of ways non-clinical staff can assist older adult patients to prevent falls by helping with items in their environment, but should not perform clinical tasks and should get clinical staff if needed.

1. NO PASS ZONE
REDUCES FALLS

2. 1 IN 3 ADULTS AGE 65 AND OLDER FALL EACH YEAR
20%- 30% SUFFER MODERATE TO SEVERE INJURIES (UNABLE TO LIVE
INDEPENDANTLY)
INCREASES RISK OF EARLY DEATH WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE
FALLS
EVERY 15 SECONDS AN OLDER ADULT IS TREATED IN THE
EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO A FALL.
HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM

3. IN 2013 MEDICAL FALLL INJURIES FOR 65 AND OLDER
INCREASED INFLATION $34 BILLION
IN OLDER ADULTS FALL-RELATED INJURY IS ONE OF 20 MOST
EXPENSIVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS
THE FINANCIAL TOLL FOR OLDER ADULT FALLS IS EXPECTED
TO INCREASE AS THE POPULATION AGES AND MAY REACH
$54.9 BILLION BY 2020
FALLS COST MONEY

4. COST OF FALL INJURIES INCREASES WITH AGE
HIGHER IN WOMEN (BOTH FATAL AND NON-FATAL)
COST FOR WOMEN ARE 2 -3 TIMES HIGHER THAN
COST FOR MEN
AGE AND SEX

5. REPOSITION CALL LIGHT, TELEPHONE,BEDSIDE TABLE, CHAIRS, TRASH CAN, TISSUE OR
OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS
ASSIST WITH PHONE CALLS
CHANGE TV CHANNELS OR TURN TV OFF OR ON
TURN LIGHTS ON OR OFF
OBTAIN BLANKET, PILLOW,WASHCLOTH, SLIPPERS, AND TOLIETRIES
OPEN/CLOSE PRIVACY CURTAINS
OBTAIN OTHER NON-MEDICAL ITEMS SUCH AS PEN, PENCIL, BOOKS, MAGAZINES
WHAT NON CLINICAL STAFF CAN DO

6. REMEMBER KEY WORDS
I AM SORRY, BUT NOT TRAINED TO
DO THAT;
I WILL GET SOMEONE WHO CAN
ASSIST YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

7. PHYSICALLY ASSIST A PATIENT/ ASSIST A PATIENT OUT OF BED
TURN OFF ANY ALARMS
OFFER PAIN RELIEF
EXPLAIN CLINICAL MATTERS/ EXPLAIN TEST AND TREATMENTS
DEAL WITH IV
RAISE AND LOWER A BED
ASSIST WITH EATING OR GIVE A DRINK OF WATER
ENTER A ISOLATION ROOM (UNLESS TRAINED TO DO SO)
WHAT ONLY CLINICAL STAFF CAN DO

8. WHAT TO SAY
KNOCK ENTER ROOM
WARM
WELCOME
ASSIST
GREAT
GOODBY
EXIT

9. NO PASS ZONE VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7F523fHjs
PATIENTS ARE EVERYONE’S
RESPONSIBILITY