Ask any active senior to name their foremost fear and 30 percent will say it is fear of falling. Double that number for seniors who have already fallen Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among individuals who are over 65 years old, accounting for 12,800 deaths and 1,640,000 emergency room visits in 2002 (Center for Healthy Aging, 2005). Further, falls are associated with diminished quality of life, daily dysfunction, and disability.
(l-r, clockwise), Dr. Rachelle Dorne, Dr. Gagnon-Blodgett, Dr. Monica Warhaftig, Dr. Naushira Pandya, “patient”, a physical therapy student, Dr. Rick Saul, and Dr. Mary Blackinton.
Fearing loss of independence, seniors are reticent to report their falls to their primary physicians during regular check ups. Physicians rarely inquire about possible falls, unless there is noticeable injury. Further, Medicare and Medicaid only pay for short term medical and rehabilitation services subsequent to injuries, not for preventive interdisciplinary services.
Balance Broward, funded by the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Quality of Life Faculty Community-based Applied Research Grant for Elderly Issues, was created to address this need and significant gap in health services. This research project engages NSU Health Professions Division faculty from the following disciplines: audiology, geriatric medicine, geropsychology ,occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Located in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Center on the NSU main campus in Davie, Balance Broward provides the following free outpatient services to community-dwelling seniors living in Broward County: the Interdisciplinary Balance and Falls Prevention Team evaluation, telephone follow up, and a prevention program entitled Sure Moves. No physician referral is necessary for the evaluation.
The collaborative process of evaluation is unusual with team members along with one or more of their students or residents, listening and conversing with the senior, his/her caregiver, and one another. The audiologist, Dr. Rick Saul performs tests of vestibular function. Physical therapist Dr. Mary Blackinton examines balance-related fall risk, gait, strength, and tactile sensation. Occupational therapist Dr. Rachelle Dorne discusses challenges in basic and instrumental activities of daily living, and potential home hazards. Dr. Gagnon Blodgett, screens the client for symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as cognitive status. Geriatricians, Dr. Monica Warhaftig and Dr. Naushira Pandya, consider the medical fall risk factors by conducting a brief physical examination. Each member provides a verbal synopsis and contributes to the report given to the senior after the visit.
Sure Moves is a free, four part educational and exercise program that addresses the multidimensional etiology of fall risk. Exercises to increase strength and balance confidence are introduced and practiced in each session. Between classes there is homework to promote learning and healthy lifestyle changes.
Balance Broward seeks to complement existing services and return patients to their personal physicians. Participants in Balance Broward do not receive prescriptions for medication or medical services, so they must return to their family health care provider for follow up.
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