Projects
Community Fall Prevention for the Elderly
The Community Fall Prevention Program was a territory-wide program initiated and funded by the Hospital Authority from November 2004 to March 2007. Objectives of the program were to promote awareness through early detection of high risk individuals; to provide timely intervention to population at risk of fall; and to reduce modifiable risks through Tai Chi exercise.
Central to the program was the establishment of community networks with NGOs through a designated Community Rehabilitation Practitioner (CRP) for the defined population. The work involved publicity and promotion, community network building, fall prevention assessment and education, Tai Chi exercise and home screening activities. For elders identified with fall-related problems, referrals were made to related services according to pre-defined protocols.
In Kwai Tsing, the CRP is a Physiotherapist of the Physiotherapy Department of PMH. She has to coordinate with the NGOs to identify suitable clients for a fall risk assessment. Tai Chi masters are recruited to teach the elders simplified version of Tai Chi (太極十式).The exercise aims at strengthening leg muscles, improving balance and encouraging regular group exercises. Since November 2004, the CRP has collaborated with 11 NGOs, conducted 31 Tai Chi classes for 446 elderly. (List of the NGOs involved is in Appendix 5)
For elders living alone, a Home Screening Program was conducted by trained volunteers under the direction of the CRP. Referral to relevant professions would be made if required. In this program, 4 NGOs were involved in the training of volunteers and 61 homes were assessed.
For those identified as subject to risk of fall and not suitable for Tai Chi class, a series of tailor-made exercise for the elders would be provided after the initial screening. A total of 71 elders had been screened and 32 enrolled in the Fall Prevention Exercise Class. The pre and post intervention assessment indicated that the participants had achieved marked improvement in their muscle power, joint range of movement and balance.
valuable assets and should be empowered to provide home screening to elderly in need.
