Balance & Falls SIG
The primary purpose of the Balance and Falls SIG is to provide a forum for the increase of knowledge and quality of Physical Therapy practice in relation to older persons with balance problems and an increased risk for falling.
These include:
- Programs at CSM
- Articles in Gerinotes or other publications
- Initiating discussions on Listserve.
- Journal Club
- Newsletters to Members
There are many opportunities for participation, so please consider getting involved! To participate or learn more about current SIG activities and projects, contact the SIG chair.
SIG LEADERSHIP
- CHAIR: Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT
- VICE CHAIR: Haim Nesser, PT, DPT
- SECRETARY: Beth Castellini, PT
- NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBER: Deborah Constanine, PT
- CLINICAL LIAISONS: Stefanie Bond, PT, DPT and Heather Timothy, PT, MSPT
- RESEARCH LIAISON: Jennifer Gindoff, PT, DPT
- EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL LIAISON: Holly Bennett, PT, DPT and Kimberlyn Thomas, PT, DPT
- COMMUNITY LIAISON: Tammy McHugh, PT, DPT
BF SIG News
Open access documents available from Balance and Falls SIG Tri-Alliance Campaign
The APTA Geriatrics BF SIG is proud to announce that we have created a collaborative document sharing all our open access resources to help you better provide balance and falls prevention services in the community, clinic, and beyond. Please feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.
Access the Tri-alliance Campaign
2022 Fall Prevention Awareness Day Kick Off Call Information
On June 29, 2022, the APTA Geriatrics BF SIG had their Annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day Kick Off Call to assist members in beginning to brainstorm and plan their events and efforts for the week of September 18-24. Our Clinical Liaison, Tammy McHugh, served as the creator and master of ceremonies for the event. We were honored to host the following guest speakers for the evening:
- Cathy Ciolek, APTA Geriatrics President
- Governors State University DPT Student Speaker Miguel Musngi with Student Panel Members TaShea’ Moore, Daniel Kusper, and Andres Garcia
- Deb Espy, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy BF SIG Chair
- Eric Galvez, APTA Oncology BF SIG Membership Chair
- David Taylor, APTA Geriatrics House of Delegates Representative
- Tammy McHugh, APTA Geriatrics BF SIG Community Outreach Liaison
Top resources that were shared during the call included:
- CDC STEADI Toolkit
- APTA Geriatrics BF SIG NFPAW Toolkit
- APTA Geriatrics BF SIG Outcome Measures Toolkit
- ANPT Clinical Practice Guidelines
- ANPT Outcome Measure Recommendations
- APTA Oncology Balance and Falls Fact Sheet
- APTA Geriatrics State Advocate Website
A big thank you to all our speakers and to all those who attended! Did you miss the call? Listen to the call recording here or peruse through the call powerpoint.
BF SIG Events
BF SIG Newsletters
BF SIG MINUTES
Balance and Falls SIG Member Resources
How to conduct virtual fall prevention
by Jennifer Nash, APTA-Geri State Advocate for Nevada Click here to Download
VIDEO: WORKING ON BALANCE AND FALL PREVENTION AT HOME, DEVELOPED BY THE NSGA/APTA GERIATRICS TASK FORCE.
From the 2020 BFSIG Falls Prevention Awareness Week Brainstorming Webinar and Guest Presentation on Virtual Balance Assessment from Winston-Salem State University, July 28, 2020
Toolkits
Outcome Measure Toolkit for Geriatric Fall/Balance Assessment
The Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics developed this toolkit as an updated summary of current outcome measures related to balance and fall risk assessment. It is available, OPEN ACCESS here:
Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Professional & Community Engagement, 2nd Edition
The Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit developed by the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group of the APTA Geriatrics is available, OPEN ACCESS below.
The resources provided within the toolkit are designed to assist clinicians and students in creating and/or improving their community-based falls prevention events by utilizing current evidence and a wide-variety of quality resources.
Research Resources:
- Lusardi, et. al. Determining risk of future falls in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis using posttest probability. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. http://journals.lww.com/jgpt/Abstract/publishahead/Determining_Risk_of_Future_Falls_in.99800.aspx
- Phelon, et. al. Assessment and Management of Fall Risk in Primary Care Settings. Med Clin North Am. 2015. Mar; 99(2):281-293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707663/
- Renfro, et.al. Fall Risk Among Older Adult High-Risk Populations: a Review of Current Screening and Assessment Tools. Curr Geri Rep (2016) 5:160–171 https://geriatricspt.org/special-interest-groups/balance-falls/BFSIGFallRiskArticle.pdf
The Monthly Challenge
Every month, we send out an email to interested members with a quick summary of an aspect of balance and falls management. This email thread allows members to have topic specific communication as well as share experiences/ideas. We will also be posting the materials to our google drive which you can access at any time. Emails are sent out at the beginning of each month. If you wish to join the email chain and get the information before anyone else, email us at agptbalanceandfallssig@gmail.com .
National Fall Prevention Awareness Day Resources
- Community Powerpoint: Take a Stand to Prevent Falls- AOTA/APTA Geriatrics Fall Risk Presentation
- Toolkit for National Fall Prevention Awareness Day: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/falls-prevention-awareness-day/
- Letters for recruiting other health care providers:
- OT Letter
- RN Letter
- SLP Letter
- Pharmacist Letter
- Educational Material for other healthcare providers: FREE COURSES
- Falls Prevention Awareness: Advanced Training for Home Health Aides: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec5 or http://phinational.org/workforce/resources/phi-curricula/fall-prevention-awareness
- Falls Prevention for Home Health Nurses: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec1
- Preparing Community Health Workers and Promotores to Prevent and Reduce Falls Among Older Adults: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec6
Links of Interest:
- Home Safety for Patients and Caregivers: https://www.seniorliving.org/research/injury-prevention-guide/
- Canadian Fall Prevention Community of Practice: http://www.fallsloop.com/
- National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/
- CDC STEADI: http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/
Resources for your ToolBox:
- VEDA – Vestibular Disorders Association: Vestibular.org
- STEADI Powerpoint: STEADI Powerpoint
- STEADI Free Webinar: http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/webinar.html
- Stand TallTM DVD: Stand TallTM DVD
- Evidence Based Community Exercise Program Certification:
- Otago: https://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/exercise-program and a follow up educational opportunity: http://www.aheconnect.com/cgec/cdetail.asp?courseid=cgec10
- Matter of Balance: https://www.mainehealth.org/mob
- Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL): http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/el/sail-register
- Stepping on: https://wihealthyaging.org/stepping-on
- Tai Chi http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/how-to-become-an-instructor-of-dr-lams-program-3/
- List of Apps:
- STEADI App: http://www.evidenceinmotion.com/products/fall-prevention-app/
- ClockYourself (Intervention): http://clockyourself.com.au/
- Gait Speed App: http://www.gaitspeedapp.com/
- iStand Fall Prevention Exercise App: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id587885952