SAFE-TI: A Falls Reduction Program

As the leading cause of injury-related death, falls are a foremost safety issue for adults age 65 and older. SAFE-TI: A Falls Reduction Program, is developed by Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging and is based off research and evidence. 

Unique features:

• a focus on developing exercise programs designed to improve gait and  

• balance
• instruments designed to assess fall risk and other factors that contribute

• to falls
• plans for interventions based on risk level
• tools for tracking Quality Improvement data related to falls

Background:

In 2003 more than 13,700 deaths in adults 65 years of age and older were caused by fall-related injuries (source: Centers for Disease Control).  The total direct cost for falls among older adults in 2000 was about $19 billion.

Older adults, regardless of living setting, are at risk for falls and associated injuries. It's been estimated that 30% of community-dwelling older adults fall at least one time per year.  The problem is even more pronounced in nursing homes, with 50% of residents falling annually, and the consequences are more likely to be a serious injury, such as a laceration, fracture, or the need for hospital care.

Program Objectives:

Participants will use the toolkit to develop comprehensive falls reduction programs in their residences, resulting in decreased fall rates.

Training Calendar:

Date	Location
June 3	Evanston, IL
September 16	Evanston, IL
October 14	Evanston, IL
November 6	Evanston, IL

Contact:

For more information, please email Greg Walsh at gwalsh@matherlifeways.com or call him at (847) 492-7433.