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Balance & Falls SIG

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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.

Join a SIG

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.

• View Welcome Message

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

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BF SIG Events

01
Mar

BFSIG Annual Member Meeting

6:00 pm –

BF SIG Newsletters

• 
  SIG Newsletter March 2022
  
• 
  Student Highlight May 2021
  
• 
  SIG Newsletter July 2021
  
• 
  SIG Newsletter November 2021
  

BF SIG MINUTES

• 
  Meeting Minutes March 2022
  

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.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/460314276

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

• Recording of Webinar
• National Falls Prevention Awareness Kick Off Call Minutes and Clinical Pearls from Webinar
• Virtual Balance Assessment Presentation Handout – Winston-Salem State University
• Virtual Balance Assessments – Helpful Links for Clinicians

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:

Download Toolkit

Falls Prevention Awareness Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Professional & Community Engagement, 2^nd 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.

Download Toolkit

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

• • Links to Falls Prevention Resources from the NCOA – September 2019
  • Consent & Release – sample 1
  • Consent & Release – sample 2
  • AOTA APTA PowerPoint
  • National Fall Prevention Awareness Day Conference Call
  • PT specific Stay Steady Algorithm 4.11
  • Stay Steady Recommendations

• 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