The San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force Presentation to the Hospital Consortium April 25, 2007 April Watson Supervisor, Community Benefit/ Wellness Programs Tel: (650)

Information on Falls  In San Mateo County, falls account for 80% of accidental injury deaths of those ages 85 and over.  In San Mateo County, falls are the #1 cause of fatal injury for those ages 75 and over, and the #1 cause of nonfatal injuries for those ages 55 and over.  The CDC reported in November 2006 that falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths for men and women 65 and older nationwide.  For those who fall, research shows they are 3 times more likely to require nursing home care and half will fall again. And, 2/3 of those who survive a hip fracture will not return to their previous level of function, usually resulting in earlier death.

History of the San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force  In 2002, after attempts to initiate an exercise program for older adults, Sequoia Hospital led the development of the Task Force.  The Task Force first met in March 2003 with a variety of senior service providers in attendance.  In spring of 2004, Sequoia Hospital Foundation raised funds for fall prevention through a community-wide donation appeal. Funds were specifically designated for the Task Force’s activities.

Accomplishments  Collaborated with Sit and Be Fit to create and produce 2 fall prevention exercise videos – Beginning Level and Advanced Level workouts. More than 1,000 videos distributed in San Mateo County and beyond. Both videos dubbed into Spanish. Dubbing into Chinese by June 2007.

Accomplishments (continued)  Fall prevention education materials translated into Spanish and Chinese and reproduced for dissemination in local communities.  Discussion groups with older adults in Daly City and Redwood City led by an expert in fall prevention from Alameda County Health Department.  Training of trainers courses offered for individuals working with older adults in physical activity programs to integrate fall prevention strategies into their programs.

San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force Today  30 members representing a cross section of agencies.  General financial support from Sequoia Hospital and Aging & Adult Services Div. of San Mateo County Health Dept., and dedicated funding from Stanford Medical Center’s Trauma Services.  In-kind contributions in the form of Task Force members’ time, meeting & event space and materials totaling more than $18,000 annually.  Recently revised mission and goals…

Mission of the Task Force  We are a county-wide collaborative whose mission is to decrease falls among older adults through advocacy, resource development and community education.

Goals of the Task Force  Develop and sustain educational programs, resources and tools focusing on home modification, exercise, medication management and other contributors of falls.  Connect and provide the community with fall prevention resources to meet the needs of a variety of individuals and settings.  Serve as a clearinghouse and network for fall research information and advocacy efforts, and as a connection to state-wide fall prevention initiatives.  Advocate on behalf of older adults in the county for funding of fall prevention programs and resources.  Strive to achieve cultural competency and equal access in all task force activities.

Task Force Membership Criteria  Membership is comprised of individuals, organizations, agencies and businesses. Meetings are open to all interested parties, and membership includes the following criteria and expectations: Participation in task force meetings and activities Participation in at least 1 workgroup Commitment to represent the Task Force first and foremost when participating in Task Force-sponsored community activities. Membership status is designated after attendance at 2 Task Force meetings

Benefits of Membership  Participation and recognition as a member of a successful team responding to community needs  Access to Task Force resources and materials (i.e. Sit and Be Fit Fall Prevention Videos, Fall Prevention Booklets in multiple languages, Power Point presentations about Fall Prevention)  Networking opportunities  Access to expertise and best practices of fall prevention  Connection to local, state and federal initiatives

Structure of the Task Force  3 co-chairs representing Sequoia Hospital, Stanford Medical Center and Rehab At Home.  Workgroups divided by project area: Community Education & Awareness Fall Prevention Resource List Medication Management Membership Train the Trainers Website

Objectives for FY08  Expand task force membership and participation to include representation of more older adults, more pharmacists, and volunteers or staff of senior centers and adult programs from across the county.  Create a website for the task force, including a plan for long-term maintenance and updating.  Investigate a Fall Prevention week or month and make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors with the goal of getting a proclamation for the work of the Fall Prevention Task Force.  Compile a list of local publications (newsletters and newspapers) in which fall prevention articles can be included at regularly planned times throughout the year.

Objectives for FY08 (continued)  Identify and develop a resource list for fall prevention resources in the county, including criteria for inclusion.  Explore best practices for management of medications related to fall prevention and decide on appropriate activities to undertake.  Continue to develop and monitor "Train the Trainer" programs.  Dubb both Sit and Be Fit videos into at least 1 language (Cantonese or Mandarin) that would make the videos more accessible to non-English speakers in the mid and North County.

List of Task Force Members  Alameda County Senior Injury Prevention Partnership  Center for Independence of the Disabled  City of Daly City, Senior Services Division  Family Service Agency of San Mateo County  Fitness Empowerment of Active Adults Assoc.  Foothill College – Adaptive Learning Division  Grant Cuesta Nursing & Rehab Center  Home Safety Services  Menlo Park Fire Department  Mills Peninsula Health Services  Ombudsman of San Mateo County  Osteoporosis Center of the Peninsula  Palo Alto Nursing & Rehab Center  Pathways Home Health, Hospice & Private Duty  Peninsula Community Foundation  Peninsula Volunteers

List of Task Force Members (continued)  Rehab at Home, Inc.  San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services  San Mateo County Health Department  Sequoia Hospital  Sequoia Hospital Community Advisory Council  Sequoia Hospital Foundation  Sequoia Hospital Rehabilitation Department  Sequoia YMCA  Seton Medical Center, Balance and Mobility Center  Stanford Trauma Center at Stanford University Medical Center  Veterans Memorial Senior Center, Redwood City  Vital Link Emergency Response Systems

How can Consortium hospitals become involved? Support increased membership by sending representatives to future Task Force meetings –  Physical Therapists  Occupational Therapists  Pharmacists  Rehab Services Staff  Older Adult Programs Staff Next Meeting:Contact: Thursday, May 17 April Watson 1-3 PM Tel: (650)