Innovative Falls Prevention Program Approach and Recommendations from Alameda County EMS is a post from: Everyday EMS Tips Importance of Falls Prevention Falls prevention among geriatric patients takes a coalition of EMS professionals, public health officials, injury prevention specialists, hospital staff, patient personal physicians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, and more. I recently discussed prevention and program design with Colleen Campbell, Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Alameda County Public Health Department Emergency Medical Services. Ms. Campbell described the multiple efforts of the Alameda County Public Health Department to reduce falls by seniors in a large and densely populated county. After working on falls prevention related programs for more than twelve years she explained that it is “most important to incorporate fall prevention into services that already exist.” Make Fall Prevention part of Existing Services An EMS agency that wants to make an immediate impact after receiving a fall prevention funding grant may want to charge into the community and start making a difference immediately with a new program, but Ms. Campbell advises a long-term approach that will help the fall prevention program survive. She said, “The development is slower, but that leads to sustainability for the fall prevention program.” EMS agencies can help create or join existing coalitions of community organizations that focus on older adult injury prevention. A broader based focus will include senior safety while driving, other types of injury prevention like food safety, and preparation for natural disasters that are community or region specific. In Wisconsin older adults need to be prepared for winter weather. Older adults in Alameda County need to be prepared for earthquakes. Fall prevention can and should be integrated into many existing services. Does your community have a regular meal schedule at a senior center or other community building? The Alameda County falls program invites pharmacists to deliver presentations at congregate meal sites. Older adult attendees bring a “brown bag” or list of their medications to have them reviewed by a pharmacist. After reviewing the medications the pharmacist can advise the older adult on medication precautions and the need to check with their personal physician about potential medication interactions that could increase falls risk or cause other problems. By maintaining the general health of the older adult with programs that include staying physically active, proper nutrition, and medication management EMS agencies and coalition partners can impact older adult’s overall health and prevent falls. Ms. Campbell explained, “4,000 people over age 60 are hospitalized in California each year just from medication mismanagement.” Medication mismanagement is a significant fall risk factor. Innovative Fall Prevention Program EMS professionals routinely transport geriatric patients from the hospital to home

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