The Wyoming Injury & Violence Prevention Program

The mission of the Wyoming Injury & Violence Prevention Program is to coordinate state and local efforts to prevent unintentional and intentional injury and violence through public awareness, training, and system change.

Contact Info:

Lindsay Martin, MPH, CPM
Program Manager
lindsay.martin@wyo.gov
(307) 777-8034
Please note: The Wyoming Injury and Violence Prevention Program does not offer crisis counseling or emergency services.

Older Adult Falls Prevention

Wyoming Falls Prevention Trainer Resources

In Wyoming, falls and fall-related injuries are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related hospitalizations and the third leading cause of unintentional deaths.

Falls are not a normal part of aging. Falls are preventable. According to the National Council on Aging, every fourteen seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury, and one in three older adults fall each year. The number of falls in a community may be reduced through practical life-style adjustments, evidence-based prevention programs, and community partnerships.

 

Strategies

 The following strategies reduce the chances of falling.

  • Begin or maintain exercise programs focused on improving balance and coordination. (Always consult your medical provider before beginning or modifying any exercise program.)
  • Consult your Pharmacist or Medical Provider and have all your medications reviewed to identify possible adverse interactions.
  • Have your vision and hearing checked annually.
  • Double-check your home to identify trip hazards like low hanging lights and rugs; identify areas where grab bars and/or railings need to be installed.

 

 Current Community Programs

Tai Chi for Arthritis

Tai Chi for Arthritis for falls prevention is an evidence-based community program developed to reduce the risks of falling among older adults. Studies have shown that older adults 65+ who regularly participate in a Tai Chi fall prevention class can reduce their risk of falling by as much as 55% when compared to the control group.

How does Tai Chi work? It emphasizes shifting your weight, improving your posture, and ensuring that one foot remains in firm contact with the ground at all times as you walk and stand. Many people who participate in a Tai Chi program over multiple weeks report increased balance, improved leg strength, flexibility, and a higher level of overall confidence. 

 

A Matter of Balance

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based community program designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among older adults. The program includes eight classes each lasting two hours, presented over a four-week period twice per week or over an eight-week period once per week by two trained facilitators using a training manual and two instructional videos. The program focuses on practical coping strategies to reduce the fear of falling and to diminish the risk of falling. The curriculum includes lectures, group discussions, mutual problem-solving, role-playing activities, exercise training, assertiveness training, and home assignments.

Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls, practice exercises to improve strength, coordination, and balance, identify how to conduct home safety evaluations, and learn to get up and down safely. Class size limited to 12 participants and you MUST register with a partner. 

Currently, we are looking for interested people to become Master Trainers and Coaches to help introduce this program across Wyoming. If you are interested please contact us at jeff.grant@wyo.gov or call 307-7772424.

Bingocize

Bingocize is an evidence-based 10-week program that combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education. The unique addition of bingo addresses many of the barriers to older adult participation because the game is fun,  familiar, and done in a group setting. This program has been shown to increase older adults’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement in a variety of settings.  Currently, the WIVPP is providing this program to 10 Senior Centers across Wyoming as an introduction.

 

ThinkFirst

ThinkFirst is an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation that is roughly 60 minutes in length. It covers Traumatic brain injuries and falls, the significance of falls, fear of falling, safety inside the home, nutrition, community safety, vison, talking to your physician, the importance of exercise, along with other topics. If you or someone you know that is interested in offering a presentation please contact us. 

If you would like more information on Tai Chi for Arthritis, A Matter of Balance, Bingocize, or ThinkFirst or have an interest in becoming an instructor, contact Jeff Grant at (307) 777-2424 or by email at jeff.grant@wyo.gov.

 

Healthcare Provider-Based Programs

Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries (STEADI) Toolkit

The Wyoming Injury & Violence Prevention Program is in the process of providing  STEADI Toolkits along with other older adult safety resource materials. These resources will be disseminated in community outreach events to medical professional and the general public.

If you would like more information or would like to host a Senior Health day in your Community contact the Wyoming Injury & Violence Prevention team at (307) 777-2424 or jeff.grant@wyo.gov

The free STEADI Toolkit is available at: STEADI – Older Adult Fall Prevention.

 

Additional Resources