Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in partnership with the Falls Risk Reduction Task Force, the NH Health Care Association and the Northern New England Geriatric Education Center kicked off a two-day conference today on fall prevention at the Southeastern Regional Education Service Center (SERESC) in Bedford. This year’s conference entitled “Falls Risk Reduction Across the Care Continuum” focuses on the elements necessary to ensure fall prevention across multiple settings including community based care, acute care, and long term care.
“This conference provides and opportunity to highlight and recognize the importance of reducing falls among the elderly,” stated DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas. “In 2006, medical costs alone for hospital admitted falls in people 65 and older were approximately $45 million. Falls among older adults are the costliest injury in the State; they are also the leading cause of injury related hospitalizations in the State. There are however, effective falls risk reduction strategies. Through this conference we can reinforce the importance of collaboration as we work together to reduce the number of falls in our State.”
Keynote speaker Laurence Z. Rubenstein MD, MPH, FACP, Director of the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Sepulveda, VA Medical Center kicked off the conference Tuesday morning. Dr, Rubenstein offered an overview on the latest research and practice recommendations for falls risk reduction in all care settings. During the conference he will also facilitate case scenarios utilizing standardized patients in community based, acute care, and long term care settings.
Over the 2 days, the conference will provide an opportunity to attend a variety of workshops related to understanding the risk of falls and how to reduce the risk of falls.
The conference begins at 8:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20 and 21 at the SERESC Conference Center in Bedford. |
