The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67500

Carole Morgan, RN, BSN, MPA, Director, Care Management, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, 460 Brielle Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314, 718-317-3275, morganc@nychhc.org and Elizabeth Braun, RN, MSN, Director of Nursing, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation and Home, 460 Brielle Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314.

Approximately ½ of the estimated 1.7 million nursing home residents suffer at least one fall annually.1 The National Institute on Aging has reported a 10-17% reduction in falls associated with a program of exercise and balance intervention.1

Sea View organized an interdisciplinary team with the objective of designing a program that incorporated both mind and body to decrease the fall rate of its residents.

A program called "Bouncing Back" was launched in September 2002. High risk Dementia patients were selected for program membership. A structured program aimed at increasing muscle strength, improved balance, and decreasing stress was implemented.

The program consists of a 30-minute regimen. After physician recommendation program participants are fitted with a vest whose weight can be adjusted in 1lb increments. The session begins and ends with yoga breathing exercises to help provide focus and reduce stress. The initial breathing exercise is followed by five minutes of simple stretching and then by fifteen minutes of hand and leg muscle calisthenics. Visual assessment is performed to monitor progress and adjust participant capability. Physical evaluation of muscle strength is also performed.

To date the program has been operational for 4 months. Each session has had Six to Eight participants. Since inception only one resident has fallen. The resident who fell had a decrease in cognitive impairment and yet did not suffer any injury.

As Sea View evaluates its program, it is hoped that the indicated success continues and significantly improves the quality of life of its residents.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this educational seminar the attendee wil be able to
• Create a Fall Prevention program.
• Recognize modified Yoga 3 part breathing exercise to help relieve stress.
• Articulate how to perform simple stretching exercises.
• Describe how to do modified upper and lower calistinics geared toward older adult.
• Evaluate and assess the residents acquired muscle strength.

Keywords: Elderly, Exercise

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.