For this assignment, you will research and prepare a community-level strategic plan that addresses a key public health issue.Potential topics may include:

Nurs 561 week 4 community strategic plan: part b, strategic plan

Introduction:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), falls in the elderly is a major public health issue that can result in serious injuries, including fractures, head injuries, and even death. Falls in the elderly are a multifactorial issue influenced by environmental, physiological, and sociological factors, including declining physical and cognitive abilities, vision and hearing impairments, and unsafe living conditions. In the United States, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in adults aged 65 and older, with an estimated cost of $50 billion annually (CDC, 2021). The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic plan to prevent falls in the elderly at the community level, taking into consideration health literacy, socioeconomic factors, and cultural differences.

Prevalence:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year in the United States, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in this age group (CDC, 2021). Outside of the United States, the prevalence of falls in the elderly varies by country and region, but it is also a significant issue in many parts of the world.

Costs:

The estimated cost of falls in the elderly in the United States is $50 billion annually, which includes medical expenses, long-term care, and lost productivity (CDC, 2021). This cost is expected to increase as the population ages and the number of falls continues to rise.

Advance Practice Roles and Management Strategies:

Advance practice roles, including nurse practitioners, can play a vital role in the prevention of falls in the elderly at the community level. Nurse practitioners can conduct fall risk assessments, develop personalized care plans, and educate patients and their families on fall prevention strategies. Management strategies that can affect change at the community level include collaborating with community-based organizations, implementing evidence-based fall prevention programs, and advocating for policy changes that promote fall prevention.

Key Community and Social Resources:

Key community and social resources that negatively affect falls in the elderly include inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, and lack of social support. Positive resources include community-based organizations that provide fall prevention programs and education, transportation services, and home modification services.

Enhancements in Community-related Services:

Enhancements in community-related services for fall prevention in the elderly can include home safety assessments, home modification services, transportation services, and community-based fall prevention programs.

Strategic Plan:

Goal 1: Increase awareness of fall prevention strategies among elderly residents in the community through targeted education and outreach efforts.

Objective 1: Develop educational materials on fall prevention strategies tailored to the health literacy, cultural, and linguistic needs of the community. Objective 2: Disseminate educational materials through community-based organizations, senior centers, and healthcare facilities. Objective 3: Provide fall prevention education to healthcare providers to improve the recognition and management of fall risk in their patients.

Goal 2: Implement evidence-based fall prevention programs in the community to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly.

Objective 1: Identify evidence-based fall prevention programs appropriate for the community, such as the Otago Exercise Program. Objective 2: Collaborate with community-based organizations to implement fall prevention programs in the community. Objective 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of fall prevention programs and modify as necessary to meet the needs of the community.

Goal 3: Increase access to home safety assessments and home modification services for elderly residents in the community.

Objective 1: Partner with community-based organizations to provide home safety assessments and home modification services to eligible residents. Objective 2: Develop a referral system to connect elderly residents with community-based home modification services. Objective 3: Advocate for policy changes that support home modification services for the elderly.