Preventing the most common injury among UI Health Care patients

New grant will fund three fall-prevention programs for older adults

Aug 28, 2024

University of Iowa Health Care is launching several virtual and in-person fall prevention programs aimed at reducing unintentional injuries among older adults.

As part of its commitment to injury prevention, the health system’s trauma center—part of the acute care surgery division in the Department of Surgery and verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons —is implementing three evidence-based programs in collaboration with various community partners. Taking programs like Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention and Stepping On and making them virtual will improve access for older adults in rural areas by removing certain transportation and mobility barriers. Pisando Fuerte is a virtual and in-person program aimed at reaching Spanish-speaking older adults.

Quick facts:

Falls are the most common reason patients seek trauma care
1 in 4 older adults (over age 65) fall every year
A federal grant worth $599,295 will support new fall prevention programs

“Falls are the most common cause of unintentional injury treated by our trauma team accounting for nearly 50% of our annual admissions,” says Colette Galet, PhD, associate research scientist with the trauma center. “In 2020, falls were the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries among Americans aged 65 and older, resulting in significant medical costs annually.”

The new programs—supported by a $599,295 grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL)—aim to increase participation among adults with disabilities and Spanish-speaking populations, train new instructors, and enhance referral systems through community partners to improve access to a variety of local resources.

“One of our goals with this sergrant is to establish an infrastructure to create and maintain these types of fall prevention programs,” says Bailey Rickels, MPH, an adult injury prevention coordinator with UI Health Care. “Reducing falls among this patient population will improve their overall health outcomes and alleviate strain on our local health care institutions.”

Older adults interested in the programs should contact Rickels at [email protected]

Preventing the most common injury among UI Health Care patients

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Preventing the most common injury among UI Health Care patients

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