Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of injuries and trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. One Florida woman is trying to change that. Margaret Kenny, RN, C, (pictured) quality management analyst and falls prevention coordinator for HCA's South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center, Fla., is a woman on a mission to make a dramatic difference in the health of a community.
"Falls can be devastating. I have seen them change not only the lives of the people who have fallen but those of family members as well," says Margaret, who has worked in a senior setting for the last fifteen years. "We need an 'it takes a village' approach to keep fall prevention a priority."
Blazing a Trail
Because South Bay Hospital is located in a retirement community where residents must be 55 or older, Margaret is spearheading a communitywide coalition. The group's membership will be comprised of residents, nursing homes and healthcare professionals, as well as non-profit and for-profit businesses.
"We are using Falls Prevention Coalitions throughout the United States and Canada as models for ours. Many falls can be avoided with education, so I know our work makes a difference," says Margaret. "I'm excited that this community is supporting the idea of a coalition. It's a dream come true for me."
For ideas about how you can introduce this initiative to your community, visit www.stopfalls.org.
"Falls can be devastating. I have seen them change not only the lives of the people who have fallen but those of family members as well," says Margaret, who has worked in a senior setting for the last fifteen years. "We need an 'it takes a village' approach to keep fall prevention a priority."
Blazing a Trail
Because South Bay Hospital is located in a retirement community where residents must be 55 or older, Margaret is spearheading a communitywide coalition. The group's membership will be comprised of residents, nursing homes and healthcare professionals, as well as non-profit and for-profit businesses.
"We are using Falls Prevention Coalitions throughout the United States and Canada as models for ours. Many falls can be avoided with education, so I know our work makes a difference," says Margaret. "I'm excited that this community is supporting the idea of a coalition. It's a dream come true for me."
For ideas about how you can introduce this initiative to your community, visit www.stopfalls.org.