Community Resources – Falls Prevention and Risk Assessment

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Have you fallen, or are you worried that you might fall?  Are you concerned that a friend, loved one or client is at risk?  If so, you are not alone.  Falls can happen anytime and anyplace, but most often they occur at home during everyday activities.  That’s why it’s important to look at what might be falls “triggers” for you or someone you care about.

Are you or someone you care about at risk for falls?

Check out our Falls Risk Survey to find out.

If you have 4 or more points, contact your healthcare provider for a complete falls risk screening, and check the links below for resources that can help you or someone you care about stay safe and independent.

After you’ve completed the checklist, make sure to take advantage of the available resources such as falls prevention classes to help you or your someone you care about stay safe and independent. Some suggestions are below.

Take Action! Prevent A Fall!

cdc-steadi-falls

Check Your Vision

Local Vision Resources:

Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1 W. Wilson St.
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
(888)-879-0017

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/blind/index.htm

Program description: Services for eligible consumers to meet their independent living goals may include:

  1. Vision Rehabilitation Therapy services constitute the broad array of skills needed to teach individuals who are blind or visually impaired to function independently at home and/or in a work environment, and to participate in community life. These include communication techniques, activities of daily living, personal management, home management, leisure management, medical management, indoor orientation, and community integration.
  2. Low Vision Therapy services screen and assess functional visual abilities and visual deficits using specialized evaluation instruments. In collaboration with an ophthalmologist and/or optometrist who manage eye health and treatment, a Low Vision Therapist provides training in the use of low vision equipment, techniques, and environmental modifications for enhanced visual functioning.
  3. Orientation and Mobility services are provided in a sequence of instruction to individuals with visual impairment in the use of their remaining senses to determine their position within the environment, and in techniques for safe movement from one location to another.
  4. Accessible computer technology service providers, specific to computer accessibility for individuals who are blind, help individuals with visual disabilities acquire and use appropriate accessible computer technology to assist them in activities of daily living, employment and education.
  5. Information and referral about and to community resources, including peer support groups, that will help meet individualized consumer needs.
  6. Assisting the consumer in understanding the medical and psychosocial aspects of visual impairments, and provide individual advocacy training.
  7. Other independent living services.

 

University of Wisconsin Eye Clinic
2880 University Ave
University Station
Madison, WI 53705
(608)263-7171

https://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=11249

Program Description: Provides eye exams (only) for uninsured and underinsured patients. (Lions Club may cover cost of glasses, for City of Madison residents only). Referrals are made from outside agencies or clinics, including, but not limited to: Access Community Health Centers, MEDiC Clinics, Porchlight, Public Health Madison and Dane County, Safe Haven Transitional Housing, The Salvation Army and school nurses. Clinic is run by two residents and one faculty once a month. Appointments should be made by referring clinic following a financial screening. Patients requiring a follow-up appointment during regular clinic hours will be billed a full-fee clinic visit. Financial arrangements can be made by contacting UW Hospital and Clinics Business Office.

 

Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
754 Williamson Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608)255-1166

http://wcblind.org/

Program Description: Online catalog, Sharper Vision Store, providing adaptive products for people with vision loss

  • Braille and tactile aids (equipment sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
  • Low vision aids (equipment sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
  • Daily living aids (sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
  • Blind mobility aids (sales, training, information, and client evaluation)

Review Your Medicines

Medication Resources:

Medications Linked to Falls-Resource from CDC (PDF)

Postural Hypotension-Resource from CDC (PDF)

Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative
The Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative (WPQC) is an initiative of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) which connects community pharmacists with patients, physicians, and health plans to improve the quality and reduce the cost of medication use across Wisconsin. This team-based approach has brought stakeholders together in a unique collaboration with the goal of ensuring safe and high-quality care to patients in Wisconsin.  WPQC coordinates a network of pharmacies with certified pharmacists who have received specific Medication Therapy Management (MTM) training. WPQC pharmacists meet privately with patients to review medication regimens, communicate potential opportunities to improve medication use with physicians and other health care providers, and educate patients on the appropriate use of their medications. The medication use and safety goals of WPQC are to resolve drug therapy problems, improve adherence and coordination of care, and engage patients in their own care. Click here to access list of WPQC pharmacy locations.

Make Your Home Safe

Home Safety Resources:

Safety Checklist from the CDC (PDF)

 

SSM Health Medical Equipment
4639 Hammersley Road
Madison, WI 53711
(800) 924-2273
https://www.homehealthunited.org/home-medical-equipment

All our retail stores have an extensive supply of home medical equipment and supplies to assist patients and caregivers with treatments and care as well as increase mobility, safety, independence and comfort.

 

SSM Health Voicecare (Personal Emergency Response System)
4639 Hammersley Road
Madison, WI 53711
(855) 332-6882
https://www.ssmhealth.com/health-at-home/community-health-resources/voicecare

Subscribers wear a pendant, and in the event of a fall or other emergency, pressing the activator button will alert monitoring personnel who will contact the subscriber to ensure they are safe, or will contact other designated emergency responders as needed. VoiceCare gives subscribers and their loved ones peace of mind knowing help is available with the push of a button.

 

Independent Living, Inc. Home Safety Modification
606 North Segoe Rd.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 268-9643
http://www.independentlivinginc.org/home-safety-modification.html

Independent Living administers grants on behalf of the City of Madison and Dane County that may cover some home modification expenses for qualified individuals. Information is available by contacting Jenny, our In-Home Services Manager. Another option for coverage may be available from your health insurance provider or long-term care policy provider. Please contact your insurer for details.

 

Meriter Home Health
2180 W Beltline Hwy
Madison, WI 53713
(608)417-3770
http://www.meriter.com/services/home-health

Offers a wide range of equipment and supplies designed to help individuals maintain their independence including home safety devices, daily living aids, bathroom safety devices, toileting aids, respiratory aids, CPAP, BIPAP, oxygen, apnea monitors, wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility devices, transfer devices, ceiling lift systems, stair lifts, platform lifts, lift chairs, hospital beds, pressure reducing support services, and Lifeline personal emergency response systems.

 

S.A.F.E. at Home
4639 Hammersley Road
Madison, WI 53711
(608)223-7970
https://www.homehealthunited.org/community-health-services/safe-at-home

The program provides an initial in-home safety assessment, then six months of follow-up by a Medical Social Worker. After six months the participant is discharged from the program.

SAFE at Home Provides:

  • A basic home safety assessment
  • Review of medications by a pharmacist
  • Safety aids including a free pill box and night light
  • Home safety recommendations
  • Additional information about community fall prevention resources

 

Supporting Active Independent Lives (SAIL)
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
6209 Mineral Point Road #210
Madison, WI 53705
(608)230-4321
www.sailtoday.org

Supporting Active Independent Lives (SAIL) is a vibrant non-profit membership organization of people 55+ who reside in the Dane county area. SAIL members wish to remain active, independent, in their own homes, and socially connected, and have found that navigating the many changes brought on by age is much easier with the resources offered by SAIL. Membership includes referrals to pre-screened service providers, discounted emergency pendants, daily automated check-in service, house checks, shredding services, wellness services, social events and clubs, member-helping-member volunteer opportunities, discounts to Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) programs, Home Health United medical equipment, quarterly mattress flipping and other member perks!

 

Stoughton Hospital Lifeline
900 Ridge Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608)873-2372

https://stoughtonhealth.com/other-services/life-assist-medical-alert-systems-2/

Lifeline is an in-home emergency response system offered by Stoughton Hospital. Lifeline enables senior citizens, people with physical disabilities and others who may need extra assistance, to maintain independence by providing a simple and proven method of calling for help.

 

William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
(available to veterans who qualify-contact your VA physician)

 

Adaptive Remodeling Solutions
6200 Sylvan Ln
Monona, WI 53716
(608)234-7440

http://www.adaptiveremodelingsolutions.com

Adaptive Remodeling Solutions, LLC work to provide older adults and individuals with special needs with the home remodeling solutions that they need to remain independent. This includes remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, and other home modifications that make a home more accessible.

 

Accessibility Plus
125 Garnet Ln.
Madison, WI 53714
(608) 335-6779

http://www.accessibilityplusonline.com

Accessibility Plus is focused exclusively on making the home a safer place for individuals who are physically challenged due to a disability or aging. Our in-home safety assessments and home safety modification services are provided by an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).

 

Project Home
3841 Kipp St.
Madison, WI 53718
(608)246-3737

http://www.projecthomewi.org

Makes home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy improvements to make homes healthier, safer and to ease the financial burden of high energy bills for people who are struggling financially.

 

Chartwell Midwest Wisconsin
Home Medical Equipment and Supplies
2030 Pinehurst Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 203-2273

http://www.uwhealth.org/homecare/home-medical-equipment-and-supplies/11177

Home Medical Equipment & Supplies services include:

  • Oxygen (concentrators, liquid and portables)
  • Sleep disorder evaluations and equipment
  • Home ventilators
  • Infant apnea monitors
  • Home beds and patient lifts
  • Mobility equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, canes,
    crutches, etc.)
  • Home medical supplies
  • Caregiver education programs
  • Clinical consultation and training
  • Clinical respiratory services
  • 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service

Start to Exercise

Resources:

Safe Communities
2453 Atwood Ave., Ste 2
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608.441.3060

Learn about community resources and evidence-based classes that could help prevent a fall. Classes include Stepping On, Living Falls Free, NoFalls, Tai Chi Fundamentals, Moving for Better Balance, Ballroom Basics for Balance

UW Health Faint and Fall Clinic
University Hospital
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792
(608) 890-8400

http://www.uwhealth.org/locations/clinic_detail.jsp?sublocationId=364

The Mobility and Falls Clinic is for our older adults who may be at risk for losing independence, who are experiencing:

  • Recurrent falls with or without physical injury
  • Fear of falling with functional consequences
  • Declining mobility and function

 

Madison School & Community Recreation 50+ Programs
(608) 204-3023

http://www.mscr.org/our-programs/50-fitness-programs

MSCR 50+ programs include aqua exercise, strength training, low impact fitness, yoga, Tai Chi, golf, walking clubs and many more at affordable prices.