PREVENTING FALLS AND FALL-RELATED INJURIES AMONG OLDER-PEOPLE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS - CURRENT PRACTICE AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Aims. To identify existing falls prevention activities and support for future initiatives among residential institutions for older people. M ethods. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all principal nu rses/managers of residential institutions. Information was sought on w hether falls were perceived to be a problem in the Auckland region, cu rrent falls prevention practice and interest in future prevention init iatives. Results. Falls were perceived to be a problem by over 75% of 175 participating institutions. Assessments of footwear, medication us e and environmental audits were the most common prevention strategies employed by over 80% of institutions. Almost 70% of institutions indic ated their willingness to participate in future prevention projects. C onclusion. The current use of fall prevention strategies in institutio ns is encouraging. However, the strategies that are being employed are not consistent with current evidence about effectiveness. Increased u se of vitamin D and possibly calcium supplementation needs to be encou raged as does the use of hip protectors a:nd lower extremity strength training.