Teamwork Keeps Residents Safe

Our Strategic Direction: Continue to provide excellent, quality care

Occupational Therapist Evelyn Ma’s primary goal is to keep Wing Kei residents safe and functioning as independently as possible. As a member of an interdisciplinary team that seeks to implement best practices, she spearheads an ongoing fall prevention campaign that includes education, therapeutics and consults.

As residents’ health conditions become more complex or change over time, their balance often decreases, resulting in greater chance of falls. One way Evelyn and her team have responded is with a weekly 45-minute balance training class initiated for residents who are able to walk independently. The class, which focuses on dynamic exercises, helps residents maintain or regain their ability to balance, which is a key factor in fall prevention. This is complimented with one-on-one exercise programs, circuit training and evening play therapy programs, which further strengthen their balance.

Evelyn notes that the cornerstone of ensuring a safe environment for residents is to make sure everyone— residents, families, caregivers—are aware and involved in preventing falls. “I believe that keeping residents safe and maintaining their wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility,” she says. “We’ve got great teamwork at Wing Kei—everyone takes ownership and pride in the excellent care we provide.”

Evelyn teaches ongoing educational sessions for staff and facilitates conferences with families to discuss the delicate balance between ensuring loved ones are both independent and safe. And when falls do happen, she acts quickly—investigating them and putting prevention plans into place, which could include installing bed alarms, night lights or grab bars, purchasing hip protectors or simply changing a resident’s footwear.

“If a resident falls, it can hinder their independence, mobility and self esteem,” says Evelyn. “We want seniors at Wing Kei to be as healthy as they can be, live happy lives, participate in what they enjoy and spend time with their loved ones. We work together as a team to make improvements in our program for the well being of residents.”

The results of the teamwork and the fall prevention program are clear. There have been great improvements in residents’ balance skills and the number of falls has decreased by 14% in 2010.