April Falls prevention month a great success
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District came together in April to shine a spotlight on falls prevention strategies.
This year’s April Falls theme was ‘Better Balance for Falls Prevention’ - encouraging older people to get active and improve their balance. The theme was explored through educational sessions, awareness and promotion campaigns, better balance exercises, games and quizzes, and the promotion of community falls prevention services.
This year a new and exciting approach was taken to provide education to staff and patients about falls prevention and delirium management. Aunty PIPA, who attends wards as 'the patient', provides a creative and innovative way of raising awareness whilst engaging with and educating our multidisciplinary teams.
Aunty PIPA visited clinical areas at St George and Sutherland hospitals including aged care, medical and surgical wards. Aunty PIPA is a fun, interactive way to better understand how to care for our patients who are at risk of falls and delirium in a comprehensive, person-centred way, bringing an important message about falls and delirium management and comprehensive care for our elderly, frail patients.
The War Memorial Hospital launched its End PJ Paralysis campaign as part of April Falls Month. Staff arrived in pyjamas, slippers and gowns in a role reversal to demonstrate how important it is for aged rehab patients to get up and get dressed each day and reinforce the importance of moving to maintain physical condition.
Lucy Haver, District Falls Prevention and Management Coordinator thanked everyone involved. "A big thank you to all the working party members who coordinated and facilitated the local site-based campaign. Falls leads across all facilities created a monthly calendar of activities to increase awareness and knowledge on falls prevention and management strategies. Thank you for all your efforts, hard work and enthusiasm driving this important campaign," said Lucy.
