1. Using Technology to Remain Safe presented by the Virginia Hospital Center Senior Health Department

2. Falls Impact our Quality of Life On average one out of three people age 65+ fall each year Half of them will fall more than once Among those 80+ years of age, half of them fall each year Falls increase the financial burden to our families Falls increases the risk of nursing home placement Post-hospitalization is a high risk time Most individuals fall within the first two weeks upon returning home 20% of those sick enough to go home on homecare fall within 30 days

3. Falls in Our Neighborhood During 2004-2008, there were 61,182 hospitalizations related to *unintentional falls for older adults (mean age was 81 years) Average length of a hospital stay: 5.67 days Hospital charges: $1.6 billion, averaging each fall costing $19,146 of care Unintentional falls resulting in death: 2,081 Injury SustainedCount Fracture53,506 Superficial Contusion 11,506 Internal Organ Damage 8,667 Open Wound7,075 Sprains/Strains2,632 Dislocation721 Nerve Damage124 Amputation86

4. The Tower of Risk 1. Balance problems 2. Mobility issues 3. Multiple medications 4. Low blood pressure 5. Sensory deficits 6. Home hazards

5. Sadly, not all falls can be prevented Let’s ask ourselves… 1.If you were to fall tonight, would you be able to get up? 2.If you were injured and couldn’t get up, how would you get help?

6. Personal Medical Alert Systems Benefits –You wear a personal help button. At the touch of a button, help can be contacted quickly. You do not aggravate your injury, you do not struggle to get to a telephone, you reduce your wait time for assistance. –Allows you to remain in your home longer because it provides back-up for you if you need help.

7. Virginia Hospital Center – Senior Health’s Philips Lifeline System Hospital employees locally manage your Lifeline equipment 24-hour assistance for police, fire and medical emergencies –You have the option of also having friends and family members help you The Lifeline service is only month-to-month and is a reassurance when recovering from a fall

8. Places a call for help if a fall is detected and you cannot push the button yourself. Helps seniors continue to live independently in their homes with an added layer of protection. Provides early intervention, avoiding the “long lie and wait time” If you or your loved one has a history of falls, there is help…

9. GoSafe is for the senior who leaves the home independently, wants to be protected at home, as well as away from the home.

10. The Philips Lifeine GoSafe mobile help button combines up to 6 locating technologies The system includes a lightweight waterproof pendant worn around the neck and an in-home communicator

11. If you would like more information regarding this lecture or about the Lifeline system, please call the Senior Health Department at 703.558.6859.