Developed by: Saskatoon Health Region
Cost: No cost to intended audience. Staff time to prepare and staff the clinics. Cost for printable resources to be provided to public and posters.
Timeline: Before, during and after November during flu clinic time
Flu vaccination clinics are a great opportunity to share information on risk factors for falls and empower the public to take action to maintain their independence and prevent falls.
Suggested action steps for completing this activity:
- Have a discussion with those doing the flu clinics in your area (such as pharmacies, physicians, Health Units) to confirm their interest and participation in a fall prevention initiative for seniors who are getting their flu shot.
- Discuss ways to get consent from seniors who are getting a flu shot to engage in fall prevention screening and education.
- Identify an appropriate fall screening tool, such as the area’s most frequently used screening tool or the checklists used in Finding Balance. Provide other educational resources to use with seniors (see www.parachute.ca/fallpreventionmonth), identify who will conduct the screening (i.e., the nurse, physician or pharmacist giving the flu shot) and the appropriate referrals (e.g., Community Care Access Centre) that can be made.
- Identify where and when the fall prevention screening and education will take place (i.e., before or after the flu shot). We recommend before the flu shot to ensure 100% reach.
- Draft a detailed plan to confirm flow of activities and the roles and responsibilities of all who will be involved. Consider tracking the number of seniors who have been screened.