CHCAGE002/IMPLEMENT FALLS PREVENTION STRATEGIES

CASE STUDY A:

Norma is 83yo of Torres Island decent and enjoys independent living at home with the assistance of her son Craig 60 years old and extended family. The home is single level with no internal or entry steps, however, the kitchen is quite small and the hallway is very cluttered. The bathrpop and toilet are also small and still in original condition from when the home was purchased 30 years ago.

Recently Norma had a fall in the hallway due to the boxes stacked along one side/ She has recovered but now requires a walking stick to assist with her mobility.

Craig has sought assistance as he is concerned with Norma's risk of falling again.

As Norma's new carer, what process should be followed to assist Norma?

Who would you liaise with to implement the required strategies?

What impact has the fall had on Norma and Craig?

When working with Norma and Craig what must you take into consideration?

CASE STUDY B:

Mr Armstrong is 80yo of age and lives in an aged care facility. He is behaving out of character with violent outbursts towards fellow residents and care team members. He has become noticeably drowsy and his posture has changed considerably. Mr Amstrong also insists on wearing his favourite loose-fitting slippers when he is walking around inside the facility.

Mr Armstrong had a fall six month ago, but luckily only experienced substantial bruising and no broken bones. However, on severe; recent occasions he has tripped and nearly fallen over again.

The care team members are concerned Mr Armstrong is at risk of another fall and discuss the issues at hand with their supervisor at a team meeting.

How would you identify the factors that increase the risk of Mr Armstrong having a fall?

You need to discuss the issues with Mr Armstrong, what do you need to consider and how would you go about this discussion?

The care team are concerned that Mr Armstrong's violent outbursts are caused by issues beyond their scope of practice, how could these issues be addressed?

What documentation and reports need to be completed in accordance with organizational policy and procedures?

why is this documentation required and how often should it be updated?"

Case Study A: Norma

 1. Process to Assist Norma:

 Home Safety Assessment: Do a safety assessment of Norma’s home as it is therefore. This entails determining the kind of clutter in the hallway, the condition of the bathroom and toilet and any hazards that might include falls.

 Home Modifications: Some enhancement tips that can be made in the household are; it is recommended that the house should minimize or avoid placing items that can be a cause of falling, there should be provision of bath bars in the bathroom, and the house should be well arranged and light.

 Assistive Devices: It is also important to evaluate if Norma may have other needs for other assistive devices or mobility aids such as wheeled walker or mobility scooter.

 Fall Prevention Education: Educate Norma and her family on the ways of preventing falls, on how to get around the house safely and on the ways to build up muscle and prevent falls.

 2. Liaison for Implementing Strategies:

 Occupational Therapist: To assess home environment and coming up with recommendation for change.

 Physical Therapist: Thus for strength training and balance training exercises to be recommended for Norma.

 Family Members: So that the patients could understand and follow the strategies and changes that are planned and are related to the prevention of falls.

 3. Impact of the Fall on Norma and Craig:Norma and Craig and the Fall: The Consequence:

 Norma: It also could have affected her confidence to move and be mobile as she had a fall. She may have also begun to get some anxiety regarding her movement within the home space, and fear of falling again.

 Craig: This is because he is the one who looks after Norma and as such, he is concerned with the safety of his wife and the impact of the fall that she has had. He may be influenced by the realisation that the house has to undergo changes in a way that will accommodate the new and possibly permanent role of caring for Norma.

 4. Considerations When Working with Norma and Craig:Reflections on Practice with Norma and Craig:

 Cultural Sensitivity: Consider Norma’s Torres Island background and other cultural factors that may influence her preferences and needs.

 Communication: This entails talking to Norma and Craig openly and in a sensitive manner to ensure that they are aware of the fall prevention plan.

 Individual Needs: In this case, it will be appropriate to assess Norma according to her mobility status and the surrounding of her home in order to come up with a good plan for fall prevention.

 Case Study B: Mr Armstrong a man who posses a good physic.

 1. Identifying Factors that Increase Fall Risk:The Following are the Factors that contribute to the Risk of Falling.

 Medical History: The following should be assessed in Mr. Armstrong; Any history of previous injuries, neurological or cognitive complications or indeed any side effects from medication that can lead to falls.

 Environmental Factors: Some of the possible factors that you may find in the environment of an aged care facility that are hazardous and may result in falls include,_Three

 Behavioral Factors: Consider Mr. Armstrong who has a preference for wearing slippers but these are not comfortable for his feet or have a good design to enable him hold on to the floor.

 2. Discussing Issues with Mr.  Armstrong:I bitched about problems with Mr. Armstrong:

 Approach with Sensitivity: In as much as you are trying to solve Mr.  Armstrong’s problems and behaviors, ensure to respect him and this could be that he is tired or has a sickness.

 Involve Healthcare Professionals: Suggest Mr. Armstrong to be taken through a medical check up or a psychiatric test to determine his mental condition or any other previous medical condition that may be making him have such behavior.

 Safety Measures: Why it is important to wear the right shoes and the consequences of wearing slippers and how they cause slips. Suggest improved footwear that can be used and which is more appropriate for the tasks that are to be undertaken.

 3. Addressing Violent Outbursts:

 Medical Evaluation: Thus, suggest to Mr. Armstrong to take a complete medical check up to determine other possible causes of such symptoms, including infections, confusion, or mental disease.

 Behavioral Management: Some of the ways that can be suggested to deal with the behavior problems include changing his environment so as to reduce on the incidences of aggression and providing him with right psychological care or counseling services.

 4. Documentation and Reports:

 Incident Reports: Please make sure that all the incidents especially the falls, assaults, or changes of Mr. Armstrong’s patient behaviour are well documented. Give an account of the incident, cause of the incidence and any action that was taken subsequent to the incidence.

 Care Plans: Modify this care plan with new nursing assessment, intervention, and alteration of existing plan in relation to Mr. Armstrong’s fall risk and behavior.

 Regular Updates: The documentation also has to be done frequently, every shift or when there is a change in the behavior of Mr. Armstrong. This will ensure that all the right staffs are informed and that Mr. Armstrong continues to receive the care that he requires as well as ensuring that the care is not stagnant and can be altered if needed.

 Importance of Documentation:

 Continuity of Care: This is because if the proper documentation is done, it will show the right status of Mr. Armstrong and the procedure that was done to him.

 Quality Improvement: Can be used in the identification of trends or problems that require intervention in order to improve the safety of the patients as well as the quality of care that is being offered to the patients.

 Legal and Regulatory Compliance: In charge of implementing and following the organizational policies and the laws that govern the documentation of the patient’s care and the incidents.