Registration Now Open for the Virtual 2024 Kentucky Fall and Osteoporosis Prevention Summit
Injuries from falls continue to be a leading cause of hospitalization for older adults in Kentucky. From 2018 to 2023 there were 53,309 inpatient hospitalizations for unintentional fall-related injuries among older adults, those 65 or older, with 1,929 deaths in the same age group among Kentucky residents, according to Roy Tapp, Coordinator of the Kentucky Safe Aging Coalition (KSAC).
"These statistics show the urgent need for effective fall prevention strategies," Roy said.
To address this ongoing public health concern, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), in collaboration with KSAC, the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living, and the Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network, is hosting the Virtual 2024 Kentucky Fall and Osteoporosis Prevention Summit on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. This free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom.
The summit targets individuals who work in fall prevention, aiming to enhance understanding and support for older adults. Attendees can expect to gain insights from leading experts in various fields, including legal perspectives on falls and fractures in nursing homes, considerations for male osteoporosis patients, and effective fall prevention practices like balance training and tai chi.
"This summit is designed for nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and community health workers, members of local fall coalitions, health care providers, academics, public health workers, safe community advocates, nursing home staff, pharmacists, senior center employees, and," said Tapp. "We encourage all health and injury prevention professionals, as well as the general public, to join us."
Interactive Format
The summit's virtual format has been designed to ensure it remains engaging and interactive.
"Speakers were chosen based on feedback from KSAC members about topics relevant to their work and interests," Tapp explained. "We selected speakers who have been well-received in the past, bring important perspectives to their topics, and are knowledgeable, available, and accessible."
Participants can expect to leave the summit better prepared to support older adults at risk of falling. They will gain skills to identify at-risk individuals, refer them to evidence-based programs, understand fall-related injuries, and learn about risk and protective factors for falls among the aging population.
"Attendees will be equipped to focus on promoting fall prevention and connecting individuals to necessary resources," Tapp said. "They will also learn to make referrals for osteoporosis screening, understand more about injuries associated with falls, legal issues with nursing homes and gain insights into specific issues like bathroom falls and the cost of falls," Julie Hartmann Program Director of Bellarmine Geriatric Residency added.
Registration and Continuing Education Credits
Registration for the summit is now open, and the Southeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center has approved CEUs in the following: social workers, physical therapists, and community health workers can earn CE credits by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
"We hope the summit will not only provide valuable knowledge but also facilitate networking and access to resources," Tapp said. "By coming together, we can advance the mission of KSAC and better serve adults aged 65 and older in fall prevention and osteoporosis management."
For the agenda and to register, visit here.
Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network. 2024. Older adult falls factsheet, 2018-2023. Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. https://kspan.egnyte.com/dl/bPlCoKAr0l