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Seniors BC

Fall Prevention

Preventing Falls

Falls are the most common cause of injury, and the sixth leading cause of death, for older people in British Columbia. They are the cause of over 90 per cent of hip fractures and half of the people who have a hip fracture never regain their pre-fall level of functioning. Falls result in serious consequences to older people and cost our health care system approximately $155 million annually. The aftermath of pain or fear of future falls can lead older people to restrict their activities, which in turn, can increase their risk of falling due to muscle weakness, stiffness, and loss of coordination or balance.

Falls usually occur because of the combined effects of a number of factors, such as poor balance, side effects of medicine, impaired mobility or vision, and environmental hazards. Good evidence exists to show that falls and resulting injuries can be prevented through strategies that bring about positive changes in behaviour, health services delivery and the built environment.

Fall Prevention Tools and Resources

Making a Difference

British Columbia’s actions to prevent falls among seniors are a model for the world. British Columbia is seen as a Canadian, North American, and international leader through its collaborative approach to integrating evidence into practice for fall and injury prevention for older persons. The B.C. Fall and Injury Prevention Coalition was recognized as a valuable provincial partnership at the 4th Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards in 2008. The partnerships developed through the Coalition are having a significant impact on the way the province prevents falls among older persons. For more information visit injuryresearch.bc.ca.
  • The B.C. Fall and Injury Prevention Coalition works to reduce the rate, frequency and severity of falls among older persons in British Columbia. The Coalition includes members from the Ministry of Health, each of the five regional health authorities, academia, older people and other stakeholder organizations. Coalition activities include mobile clinics, emergency department programs, best practice guidelines for fall prevention in home care and assisted living, physical activity programs, peer training, medication reviews, hip fracture reduction interventions, public awareness campaigns, staff education programming and innovative research. Visit injuryresearch.bc.ca for more information.
  • Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum - In partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, the Ministry of Health has developed and implemented the Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum (CFPC) in B.C. and across Canada. The Curriculum is available in both English and French for health care professionals, community support providers, and policy and program personnel. The course is available through workshops, and also as an E-learning course through the University of Victoria’s Continuing Education Department.  
Seniors Falls can be Prevented

This four-page fact sheet for older people provides information for seniors at risk of falling, and what they can do to lower their risk of falling in each room of the home and also away from home. The pamphlet, produced by the B.C. Fall and Injury Prevention Coalition, is available for download in English from injuryresearch.bc.ca. Seniors Falls can be Prevented is also available in Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.
  • Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL) program. The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit and the regional health authorities, provides funding to SAIL– a provincial fall risk reduction program. The program provides training for community health workers and home health professionals to integrate evidence-based practice into existing home care services.
  • Promoting Active Living (PAL): Best Practice Guidelines for Fall Prevention in Assisted Living Residences. In partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, and Fraser Health, the Ministry of Health has supported new guidelines to prevent falls and fall-related injuries among residents of Assisted Living Residences. The guidelines provide steps to assess, implement, and evaluate fall prevention strategies in assisted living, and include tools such as a report form, checklist, tips on group education and a DVD titled: “Insight into Hip Fractures”. Information can be found at: injuryresearch.bc.ca. The PAL Guidelines are available for purchase at qpbooks.ca or by phone at 1 800 663-6105.
  • Seniors’ Fall Prevention Week. Each year since 2007, the B.C. government has proclaimed a week in early November as the annual Seniors’ Fall Prevention Week in British Columbia. The week raises awareness and education around the prevention of falls and injuries among older adults, and encourages leadership and collaboration among health authorities across the province.