PHI and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) have launched a new partnership to provide — at no cost — a Fall Prevention Awareness curriculum for home health care workers.

Uniquely designed for adult learners, the Fall Prevention Awareness training curriculum is designed to help home health aides across the country reduce falls and minimize injury to their clients by increasing their awareness of the risk factors for common falls and enhancing their communication skills.

Specifically, participants will build on their existing knowledge and skills by strengthening their “observe, record, report” skills and developing communication skills that help them address with their clients how to reduce the risk of falling.

The downloadable course includes two three-hour sessions that employers can use to meet in-service requirements.

“PHI is honored to partner with the NCOA to make this curriculum more widely available to the 3.2 million paid caregivers who serve and support older Americans,” said PHI President Steven Dawson.

“The incidence of falls can be reduced through lifestyle adjustments and intervention programs,” said NCOA President Jim Firman. “Working with PHI, we can greatly expand training options for the dedicated home health aides who provide so much of the day-to-day care to older Americans.”

Falls Pose Grave Danger to Elders

Falls are the leading cause of death by injury for older Americans. They threaten the lives, safety, and independence of older adults and have an enormous impact on the cost of health care.

In 2005, the total direct cost of all fall injuries for people 65 and older exceeded $34 billion.

The Fall Prevention Awareness Training curriculum can be downloaded directly from the PHI website.

“We are also working with NCOA on national policies impacting elder services as part of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, and look forward to new partnership opportunities to support both older adults and their caregivers,” Dawson said.

– by Deane Beebe