Falls campaign themes and key activities for the 'Stand up to falls' focus of the Open for better care campaign.
| Month / Focus |
Key activities |
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April
An integrated approach to falls prevention – Know your data, know your district.
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May
Falls leadership and building capability for integrated falls prevention initiatives – What’s your plan?
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- Complete the organisational self-assessment: 10 priorities for an integrated approach to falls in older people
- If your organisation is not part of an integrated falls prevention network in your district/region, why not start a group? If you hold an integrated falls meeting in May we will provide morning tea (up to $50) for the first 20 groups. Email Bridgette Connor to arrange your morning tea.
- ‘Standing up to Falls’ wall canvas – What part do you play in falls prevention? Showcase the different roles staff in your DHB / organisation play in preventing falls. Visit your local DHB to view.
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June
Safe environments and moving about safely in hospital, age-related residential care and at home.
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- Safe environment self-assessment: How safe is the care environment today? A safe environment has a number of essential elements, and we suggest you give this special attention during June. The assessment is a word document you can edit, add to and adapt for your situation and the elements you wish to emphasise. In completing the assessment, are there learnings or ideas you wish to share with others in the sector? Email your thoughts and ideas to open@hqsc.govt.nz.
- For aged residential care facilities, take part in our Out damned clutter! competition, with a prize for the best before and after photo. Your ‘before’ photo should have lots of potential falls hazards, and your ‘after’ photo should be a perfect example of a safe environment. The best five entries, as judged by Commission staff, will receive a morning tea to the value of $100. Email your photos to open@hqsc.govt.nz.
- Promoting the use of the safe signalling resources. These resources which are already used by some DHBs, let staff easily see what level of assistance patients may need to mobilise safely. The resources can be ordered on the Commission website.
- Promotion of the ACC home safety checklist. We will be encouraging older people to work through this on their own, with their caregivers or family/whānau and complete the checklist. Once they have done this, they can fill in a supplied postcard and send it to us with the number of hazards identified. Everyone who sends in an entry will go into the draw for one of 10 $100 pharmacy vouchers.
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July
Preventing falls in primary care and the community – Do I know my patients’ falls risk factors?
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- Release of the ‘Stay Independent’ falls prevention toolkit for clinicians.
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August
Falls prevention in age-related residential care – What do I know about falls in my facility and what can I do about it?
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- Release of the age-related residential care quality improvement toolkit
- Limerick competition on safe footwear
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September
Wellness in older people – Spring into action.
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- Regional workshops with Professor Lindy Clemson, visiting Australian expert with a focus on balance and strength
- Public facing event to support falls prevention - promoting balance and strength
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