Falls Boot Camp
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Share PrintFalls Boot Camp is an activity program designed to reduce the risk of falls among susceptible Veterans. It is an interdisciplinary approach, involving occupational, physical, and music therapy. The program consists of several training sessions designed to improve Veterans power, gait, balance, and cognition. They also receive an at-home program so they can continue to work towards personal goals.
Origin:
February 2017, Des Moines VA Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa)
Adoptions:
2 successful, 2 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner
Partners:
Diffusion of Excellence, Office of Rural Health
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. Although some falls do not result in serious injury, they can still have a detrimental effect on a person’s daily life and make it difficult for them to get around, do everyday activities, or live independently. A fall injury not only affects the individual who falls but it also negative
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Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. Although some falls do not result in serious injury, they can still have a detrimental effect on a person’s daily life and make it difficult for them to get around, do everyday activities, or live independently. A fall injury not only affects the individual who falls but it also negatively affects the lives of their caregivers and family members. On average, the hospitalization cost for a fall injury is $34,294. Falls affect all parties involved, so we must help our Veterans prevent them.
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The solution
Falls Boot Camp is an 8-week activity program which can be implemented within an inpatient or outpatient setting. The program consists of 8, hour-long group training sessions held once or twice a week. During each session, a small group of Veterans works one-on-one with interdisciplinary staff as they move through a variety of stations. Fall risk is assessed
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Falls Boot Camp is an 8-week activity program which can be implemented within an inpatient or outpatient setting. The program consists of 8, hour-long group training sessions held once or twice a week. During each session, a small group of Veterans works one-on-one with interdisciplinary staff as they move through a variety of stations. Fall risk is assessed during the first and last training sessions using outcomes from a series of tests. A 3-month follow-up assessment is also conducted to determine whether improvements in participant scores are maintained.
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Images
Above:
Falls Boot Camp Solution
The results
Falls Boot Camp directly benefits Veterans and their caregivers by reducing the risk of falls. VA Central Iowa Health Care System conducted assessments prior to Falls Boot Camp which indicated the participants were at increased risk of falls and needed assistance with activities of daily living. However, assessments conducted during the final session of Fall
...
Falls Boot Camp directly benefits Veterans and their caregivers by reducing the risk of falls. VA Central Iowa Health Care System conducted assessments prior to Falls Boot Camp which indicated the participants were at increased risk of falls and needed assistance with activities of daily living. However, assessments conducted during the final session of Falls Boot Camp demonstrated a significant reduction in fall risk, as well as an increased ability to engage in activities of daily living without assistance. Participants were able to maintain these improved scores 3-months after completing the program. No participants suffered a fall at home during this time period.
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Images
Above:
Outcomes and Impact
Metrics
- The initial Mini-BESTest average for 26 veterans was a score of less than 19, which is predictive of recurrent falls. At final assessment and 12 wk follow up the average was above 21 indicating the veterans were no longer at risk for falls.
- Improvement was seen in the majority of 9 standardized assessment tools including cognition.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Videos
Above:
Falls Boot Camp Wii Station
Above:
Falls Boot Camp Multi-tasking Station
Above:
Falls Boot Camp Tai Chi Station
Above:
Falls Boot Camp Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Station
Implementation
Timeline
-
T-6 months
Identify a Practice Champion and Interdisciplinary Team; Set Project Scope and Develop Memorandum of Understanding (MOU);Engage All Relevant Stakeholders -
T-4 months
Secure Resources; Customize Materials; Train Staff -
T-2 months
Conduct Veteran Outreach; Set-up Room and Equipment; Develop a Data Collection Plan for Monitoring Feedback Metrics -
Go Live
Conduct Falls Boot Camp; Interpret Data; Share Success with Stakeholders and Celebrate!
Departments
- Extended care and rehabilitation
- Geriatrics
- Administration
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiothology
- Recreation and creative arts therapy
- Whole health
- Neurology
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
Files
- tool kit Falls Boot Camp Toolkit
- Patient Vignette Falls Boot Camp Patient Vignette
- Fall Brochure Falls Boot Camp Patient Brochure
- Falls Brochure Falls Boot Camp Patient Brochure editable version
- Boomwhachers Sequence for Multi-tasking Boomwhackers Sequence for Multi-tasking Station
- Stroops Activity for Multi-tasking Stroops Activity for Multi-tasking Station
- Boxing Equipment ordering information Boxing Equipment for Rotating Station of FBC
- RAS Overview RAS Overview
- Example songs for recorded music at 80-120 beats per minute Example Song List
Links
- Falls Boot Camp Wii Station Falls Boot Camp Wii Station
- Falls Boot Camp Multi-tasking Station Falls Boot Camp Multi-tasking Station
- Falls Boot Camp Tai Chi Station Falls Boot Camp Tai Chi Station
- Falls Boot Camp Rhythmic Auditory Stim Falls Boot Camp Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHACIHFallsBootCamp@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. After researching how to reduce the risk of falls in patient with Parkinson’s Disease, therapists at VA Central Iowa Health Care System implemented Falls Boot Camp in February of 2017. Originally designed for patients suffering from Parkinson’s, it has since expanded, targeting any Veter
...
Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. After researching how to reduce the risk of falls in patient with Parkinson’s Disease, therapists at VA Central Iowa Health Care System implemented Falls Boot Camp in February of 2017. Originally designed for patients suffering from Parkinson’s, it has since expanded, targeting any Veterans who are at risk of falls.
Original team
Rebecca Hayden, PT
Physical Therapist, Geriatric Focus Clinic
Matthew Lloyd, MT-BC, NMT
Music Therapist
I am marketing this program at the Columbia, MO VA
Our CLC is in the process of implementing, and the support offered by Rebecca Hayden and Matt Lloyd has been remarkable. Both Becky and Matt have been approachable, and their team has been consistently responsive, collaborativeand encouraging. They make this easy to implement.
I thank Lynn for representing SFVA and advocating to include interdisciplinary team members on this exciting program!
The Falls Boot Camp has been phenomenal in improving the movement of the veteran's with Parkinson's disease without addition of medication!