Small Steps, Big Impact: Reclaiming Health and Independence Through Fall Prevention

Falls are a widespread and preventable public health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults and falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. Additionally, over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults report falling each year.

“For Veterans, there is a lot of literature that shows how detrimental a fall can be, and it just snowballs into other issues pertaining to their physical condition, their mental status, [and] their quality of life,” said Lily Tseng, Nurse Manager at the CLC. 

Recognizing just how serious those consequences can be, the CLC has a comprehensive fall prevention program and recently launched a fall prevention recognition effort celebrating Veterans at different milestones in their journey.

To support this work, the CLC relies on a coordinated system of committees and huddles that guide its strategy.

Tatiana Alyeshmerni, Physician Assistant at the CLC and Falls Subcommittee Chair, said they meet monthly to review trends, analyze data, and identify opportunities to strengthen safety practices. 

There are also daily watch‑list huddles, post‑fall huddles held immediately after a fall, weekly nurse manager huddles with the Chief Nurse that coordinate care strategies, and meetings with other disciplines that bring together medical providers, recreation therapy, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, and spiritual services to ensure that high‑risk Veterans receive proactive, tailored interventions.

“Essentially, we want to keep Veterans functioning at their optimal level for as long as possible, especially in a nursing home,” said Alyeshmerni.

The first Veteran to be honored is 40-year-old Veteran Brian Deguzman, who recently achieved the remarkable milestone of going one full year without a single fall. 

Previously identified as extremely high risk with a history of falling as often as once a month, Deguzman’s journey is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through consistent commitment and partnership with a dedicated multidisciplinary care team.

While he was once falling monthly, he took ownership of his safety by getting used to using his call light and working closely with Restorative Health Techs (RHT) to help him walk. His care team notes that this willingness to participate in a tailored plan played a huge role in transforming his status from extremely high-risk to a success story.

“I’d like to thank the CLC staff,” said Deguzman. “They are really helpful and doing everything that could help [me].”